A Q&A with Harriette McKeldin Stokes, JD ’78 P’06, ’10

A graduate from the GPS Class of 1978, Harriette McKeldin Stokes received two degrees from the University of Florida: an undergraduate degree in mathematics in 1982 and a law degree in 1985. She has held varied positions including Professional Development Trainer, Assistant Vice President of Compliance, and Vice President of Institutional Sales at the former Provident/UnumProvident Insurance Co.; a legal consultant at a title company; and now the Director of Executive Account Management & Economic Development at North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation. Her two daughters, Kendall ’06 and McKenzie ’10, also graduated from GPS.

Q. Did you always know you wanted to be an attorney? 

A. While I always knew the degrees I would obtain and that the traditional legal trajectory was not what I wanted, I could not have predicted, even 10 years ago, that I would be in my current position. I was in the law department of EPB when I received a call from a business acquaintance asking me to think about a job change. I have been blessed that most of my jobs have been a result of someone asking me to consider working with them. I credit GPS with my willingness and confidence to explore opportunities that I have never contemplated.

Q. What was your favorite tradition at GPS? Why? 

A. May Day was my favorite. I adore fanfare and May Day certainly has that. I was a junior school and then Terpsichord dancer, and I think I danced in it every year. I couldn’t wait until sophomore year for the maypole! Even when my daughters attended GPS, I went to several May Days and enjoyed them just as much.

Q. If you could offer one piece of advice to current GPS students, what would it be? 

A. Make friends who aren’t just like you. Don’t just tolerate but instead experience their religion, culture, or ethnicity. You will be a better human, professional, friend and, later, a better parent. 

Q. Can you point to anything that GPS did to prepare you for your future?  

A. You should understand the premise that I was the third Black student to attend GPS. No one in my class or the one ahead or behind, no teacher, and no administrator looked like me. My independence and self-motivation stem from making my path through GPS. Of course, I learned how to study and manage my time well, but lesson number one was learning life skills that I would need to matriculate and thrive in a corporate America that was even less diverse than today. 

Q. What is a GPS girl to you? 

A. A young lady who wants to learn and expand her horizons, understands global issues, is socially conscious, and exhibits leadership by being kind and inclusive to her classmates. 

Q. What is your proudest accomplishment thus far?

A. This is ridiculously easy. Being the mom of Kendall and McKenzie is my proudest accomplishment.  The fact that I raised two happy, confident, socially conscious, self-sufficient, and caring human beings is everything. This is one of my favorite quotes: “My biggest accomplishment will never be money. It will be who I raised.”

Q. Are there any quotes that really resonate with you/guide you in your daily pursuits? 

A. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” —Maya Angelou

“I believe in freedom of speech, but I also believe that we have an obligation to condemn speech that is racist, bigoted, anti-Semitic, or hateful.” —John Lewis

“Beauty isn’t about having a pretty face. It is about having a pretty mind, a pretty heart, and most importantly, a beautiful soul.” —Drake

“When you are afraid, give all your fears to God and trust Him.” —Psalms 56:3

 Q. Why is Black History Month important to you and why is it important that we acknowledge and honor the month here at GPS? 

A. With national and state elected officials attempting to negate the existence of slavery and racism, Black history month has never been more important. I think the responsibility of education is to teach everything, particularly the harsh realities that have befallen people of all races, religions, etc., so that students can learn, understand, and never repeat the atrocities of the past. I think that GPS has a responsibility to allow all students to understand every aspect of our society; otherwise, how will each student be able to form her own opinion of right and wrong? 

I don’t expect a world where everyone agrees. I do, however, expect a world where everyone is respected and respectful. I do not know how we get there without learning about history. So, I reiterate that the importance of Black History Month cannot be overstated—nor can the history of every other group that has been or is being persecuted due to their religion, race, ethnicity, culture, or identity. Only when we all understand the past can we move forward to a future that truly attains “liberty and justice for all.”