About Debbie

“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII

Debbie’s life has been shaped by her love of family starting with her mother, Marion Virginia and her father, Horace Lee Bazemore.

She is one of nine children who grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, a small Navy town sitting along the Elizabeth River. Her family lived in the Ida Barbour housing project until her father through hard work and perseverance was able to move them to what was said to be one of the largest suburban developments for black homeowners in the South. It was a community of familiar neighbors. An eclectic group representing many different educational and financial strata. Teachers, pastors, postal workers, skilled shipyard tradesmen, grocery store employees all lived there. It was a place where neighbors helped neighbors and the good of the community was the priority of everyone.

Debbie graduated from high school and went on to be the first in her family to complete college. Her mother, understanding that education was a vital component of success, was determined that Debbie would finish college so as to set an example for her younger siblings. Debbie graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

“Never forget that no military leader has ever become great without audacity.” – Carl von Clausewitz

Debbie joined the U.S. Army after college. She entered the military as a 2nd Lieutenant and by the time she retired, after 25 years of service, Debbie had become a full Colonel. She served as a Transportation and Logistics Officer in multiple leadership positions including Systems Integrator at the Pentagon under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Battalion Commander of a Port Operations Battalion, Chief of the Deployment Center for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and Director of Strategic Plans for the Navy’s Military Sealift Command. Debbie is a Desert Storm Veteran having served in the Port of Ad Dammam as the Operations Officer. She was inducted into Norfolk State University Military Hall of Fame as the first female graduate to reach the rank of Colonel and to command a battalion.

“Without community service, we would not have a strong quality of life.” – Dorothy Height

Once Debbie retired she refocused her energy on family and community. In fact she left the military so that she and her husband could take their youngest daughter to a school for students who are visually impaired. That daughter is an adult now and thriving. Debbie has two other children who have also excelled in life, a pattern Debbie’s mother hoped for.

Today, Debbie is a devoted community advocate who is inspired by the service and sacrifices of family and so many other givers to the communities to see a stronger Delaware. Once in Delaware Debbie became a Church Administrator while she completed her doctorate in Organizational Leadership. She maintains a strong relationship with her church and its involvement in community organizing. Debbie, with two others, were the force behind the first legislative task force to begin reshaping education for all students who are visually impaired. That was the beginning of her motivation to affect life changing policy. Debbie serves on boards that are particularly advancing education and health. She is the 2nd Vice Chair of the Democratic Party, 1st Vice Chair of Delaware State University Board of Trustees, board member for the Early College School, member of Board of Examiners of Psychologists, and the Vice Chair of Middletown Police Advisory Board. Debbie proudly serves as the 1st Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Alpha Tau Omega Chapter.

“When Our Families are Strong, Delaware is Stronger” – Debbie Harrington

Debbie received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to community presented by the NAACP – M.O.T. Chapter. Her care for others is far reaching and she continues to be driven, even now, to see “Delaware Stronger.”