Don\'t Box Me In: Harriet Hodgson

In 2007 Harriet Hodgson’s elder daughter, father-in-law, brother, and former son-in-law all died. Her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren) and the twin’s father died in separate car crashes. With hard work, self-examination, and determination, Harriet created a new life from the ashes of grief.

Harriet Hodgson

Great Neck, NY native Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 36+ years and is the author of 33 books. She has a BS from Wheelock College and an MA from the University of Minnesota. Her work includes a history of her hometown of Rochester, MN, books about Alzheimer’s, a book about aging, activity books for children facing heart surgery, nutrition activity books for young children, and her latest book about happiness. “I am happy,” Hodgson declared,” and I’ve worked hard to get to this place in life.”

A bereaved parent, daughter, sister, and daughter-in-law, Hodgson speaks to community groups about healing their grief and creating a new life. Because she is a retired teacher with a dozen years of classroom experience, Hodgson prepares handouts to go with her talks. “I want people to have something to read after they leave,” she explained.
Hodgson has appeared on more than 170 radio talk shows and dozens of television stations, including CNN. The CNN hook-up from Chicago was memorable. Minutes before the “On Air” cue came from Atlanta an overhead light caught fire. The producer climbed a ladder and put out the fire, but ribbons of smoke were visible behind Hodgson. During the interview a man, off-camera, kept fanning the smoke with a towel. Later Hodgson quipped, “That was trial by fire!”


Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. “I love to write so much I even write in my sleep,” Hodgson said.

Harriet\'s Website