Gil Harrington

After losing her college age daughter, Ms. Gil Harrington founded Help Save the Next Girl, a nonprofit organization that promotes safety in our community. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, and raised Saudi Arabia, Ms. Harrington grew up away from her country, America, because of her dad’s job. She moved to America and finished her education at a boarding school in Charlottesville before attending the University of Virginia. She became an oncology nurse and worked at Carilion before she retired to work with her nonprofit in Virginia and do wound care nursing in Zambia, Africa. Ms. Harrington is married and has one son.

Ms. Harrington has always had a passion for helping others, even before a tragedy occurred that inspired her to start a program for helping young women. On Oct. 17, 2009, Ms. Harrington’s daughter, Morgan, went missing while at a concert. During the 101 days that her daughter was gone, she had one mission; to make sure that this never happened to any girl again. This was a rough time for the Harrington family, and while watching the lives of others, Ms. Harrington only felt worse. “I was thinking…all I’ve got is this stinking box of Morgan’s ashes. All I have is dust,” she said. “Everyone else has life and things to take pleasure in, and I’ve got this box of ashes… and then I said you know what? From ashes you can make cinder blocks, and from cinder blocks you can build.” After realizing this, Ms. Harrington decided to build the Morgan Harrington Education Wing in Africa. She was determined and positive, and something good came out of it.

Through the whole experience, Ms. Harrington was also selfless and brave. Losing someone that you love is not easy, but having your daughter kidnapped and murdered is even harder. However, Ms. Harrington didn’t shy away and pity herself. Instead, she boldly spoke and spread awareness in the community. After Morgan’s abduction, her T-shirt, the most identifiable item, was found. “It had been put out on a bush, king of like a trophy.” Ms. Harrington said. After the police had discovered this, she wanted to tell the community and raise awareness, but the police refused to disclose the information. Ms. Harrington knew that she had to get the word out, so she did it herself. “It’s too late for Morgan,” she said. “Help save the next girl.” This phrase is what started the social movement that is still going on today. She didn’t worry about herself, but about others, and she poured herself into her non-profit.

In 2012, Ms. Harrington’s organization, Help Save the Next Girl, was officially registered. Since then it has helped to provide support and awareness for many people. She also wrote a book about her daughter called Morgan Harrington Murdered and Dead for Good. “(The title) meaning that she is both dead and will always be dead, but also that her death has resulted in a great deal of positive sequela,” she said. Ms. Harrington once again proved to be brave, positive, inspirational, and selfless when she wrote this book and did so much to provide for struggling families.

Ms. Harrington is truly a remarkable person. She decided to grow from her tragic experience and rise above the difficulties to become a hero to her family, and everyone around her. She has given so much of her time and effort to benefit others, and while she may not say it, Ms. Harrington deserves to be recognized and honored as a hero.