Harriet Dawson was born on July 14, 1894, in Beloit, the daughter of George N. and Bertha Stuber Dawson. She graduated from Beloit High School in 1912 and from Beloit College in 1916. After teaching school for a few months, she entered the employment of the Beloit Daily News where she remained for 53 years serving as reporter, assistant wire editor, feature writer and city editor before she became women’s editor. She was the only 50-year member of the Daily News Quarter Century Club.

She was a member of Second Congregational Church, West Side Monday Club and an honorary member of Treble Clef and of Vocational Homemakers Club. She was a past president of Business and Professional Women’s Club. In 1968 Harriet Dawson was awarded the Beloit Area Zonta Club’s first Woman of the Year award at a dinner meeting of the organization and guests in the Manor. Harriet adopted two daughters, Helen (Alvin) Olsen and Jean (John) Saladino, adopting them after of the death of the girl’s mother, Harriet’s Sister. Harriet Dawson died on October 9, 1987, after a long illness. A memorial service was held at the Second Congregational Church with the Reverend Paul Ray officiating and burial was in Oakwood Cemetery.