Former Richland County Councilwoman Harriet Gardin Fields passed Thursday, April 23, 2009.

Fields, 65, served on council from 1989- 1997 and was chair in 1994 and 1997.

She was elected during a pivotal time in the county when Richland County Council realigned to single- member districts in 1988. She was one of the first African- Americans elected under the new system.

After her time on council, Fields stayed active in the community and served as president of the North Columbia Civic Club and was a member of the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods.