Former Pittsburgh City Council Member Darlene Harris, who represented the Northside on Council for more than a decade, passed away on March 6 at the age of 73.
Harris was a longtime Northside resident, having been born in Brighton Heights and living most of her life in Spring Hill. She spent much of her life supporting her community, including serving on the Spring Hill Civic League and representing the Northside on the Pittsburgh Public School Board, even managing to become president of both organizations during her service with them.
Harris is perhaps most remembered for her 13 years on Pittsburgh City Council as the District 1 representative, which represented much of the Northside. She was elected to the role in 2006 and was Council President from 2010 to 2014. She held her position until 2020 after she was defeated in the Democratic Primary for the seat by Bobby Wilson, who holds the seat to this day.
For those Northsiders formerly or currently involved in community leadership, Harris is remembered for both her bombastic personality and her fierce love for the Northside.
“She was really dialed in with the people of the city when you had requests or problems, or needed help with anything,” said Ben Soltesz, current president of the Spring Hill Civic League.
Pick up the April edition of The Northside Chronicle for the full story.
