Julia “Liz” Harris

Julia “Liz” Elizabeth Harris
July 11, 1948 – December 13, 2020
First Unitarian Church of Chicago

• Born in Chicago to parents Allen G. Harris, a decorated World War II veteran and Tuskegee Airman, and Dr. Joan R. Harris; granddaughter of Rev. Lewis McGee (among the first African American Unitarian ministers)
• Attended Radcliffe and Harvard Colleges; later earned an MBA at the Harvard Business School in 1977
• Founded the Liz Harris Gallery in her lifelong quest to promote the art of African American artists nationwide; received the distinction of “Best New Gallery” in Boston (1983); was an avid photographer and screen printer
• Worked tirelessly in civic and arts organizations, focusing simultaneously on the artistic and business aspects of artistic endeavors; held executive and board roles at UNC Partners, Inc., Domini Social Investments, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Served as Assistant Secretary for Agriculture and Markets (New York State) from 2013 to 2016
• Resided in Boston for over 30 years with husband, Edward Dugger, III, and their three children; was also a resident of Albany and Brooklyn, New York, and Chicago, Illinois
• Worked with board and staff of First Unitarian Church of Chicago as treasurer and finance committee member to overhaul financial management systems of the church