Background & Upbringing
Harper was born and raised in a progressive household in East Austin. Her father worked as a civil rights attorney, and her mother was an elementary school teacher with a focus on experiential learning. Growing up, dinner table conversations frequently revolved around issues of social justice, civic engagement, and the importance of inclusivity.
Education
Harper attended a diverse public high school before pursuing a Bachelor’s in American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She later completed a Master’s in Nonprofit Management, also at UT, motivated by her desire to work toward social change at the community level.
Professional Background
After graduation, Harper interned at a grassroots advocacy group where she discovered a knack for communication and organizing events. She now works as a program director at a local nonprofit that promotes arts education in underserved neighborhoods. On the side, she writes opinion pieces and personal essays for various online journals, often focusing on gender equality, the cultural fabric of Austin, and the evolving definitions of family and love.
Places Lived
Other than a semester abroad in Barcelona, Harper has mostly called Austin home, appreciating its blend of live music, barbecue joints, and tech start-up culture. She loves traveling to other progressive cities—like Portland and San Francisco—to draw inspiration for her writing and advocacy efforts.
Influences
She credits Gloria Steinem, bell hooks, and Rebecca Solnit for shaping her feminist worldview. Musically, she’s a longtime fan of Austin’s indie scene and experimental folk artists like Joanna Newsom. Her sense of romance and sophistication is defined by community building, mutual respect, and an unapologetic passion for exploring life’s messier sides—both socially and personally.
