02/03/2026
Beth Harrington is one of two or three people I owe simply for existence in Tompkins County. If it were not for her support and honesty in these crazy times, my ship wouldn’t sail. Her influence is the rutter navigating through turbulence, always finding the north star.
Big up and much thanks and praises to Beth, Greg and the Slaterville Volunteer Fire Department for all the support the past 2 years.
-Chris
Since Beth Harrington moved to Caroline, New York in 1974, she’s served her community as a nurse, an EMT, a paramedic and a firefighter. Now 80, she’s been the president of the Slaterville Volunteer Fire Company for 30 years.
Her latest volunteer effort is addressing a key need in Caroline, with the help of three Cornell graduate students. The small rural town, about 15 minutes from the Ithaca campus, has limited internet and cell-phone coverage. Many older adults, who make up about 18% of the community, have no way of receiving information or help during emergencies like power outages.
So Harrington created an emergency preparedness working group to address the problem, with support of the students who helped shape plans and put them into action. The students developed a survey identifying residents’ most pressing concerns, which in turn led to a report and resource brochure aimed at helping the community make the most of its existing strengths.
On February 5, Cornell will recognize Harrington’s work with the Debra S. Newman ’02 Cornell Tradition Community Recognition Award, which honors local residents who have demonstrated a strong commitment to service and/or leadership in community service.
“She is a voice for those whose needs are often hidden. She is proactive, moving quickly to make change happen, knowing who to talk with to get things done,” Hannah Chow Russell ’19, a master’s student in global development, wrote in Harrington’s nomination letter.
“For decades, she has been creatively utilizing the Fire Department for diverse functions: hosting a caregiver respite program, a social dining program and community working groups.”
Read more at the link in our comments.
