Honoring Dr. Stephanie Hassan-Richardson: A Writing Tribute

Today, we gather to celebrate the life and work of a remarkable individual who has left an indelible mark on the world of academia and beyond. Dr. Stephanie Hassan-Richardson, a beloved professor and director of Writing and Critical Inquiry at the University of Albany, is known for her passion and dedication to the art of writing.

Our Unextinguished Light: In Honor of My Sister

A year ago this week, our family said goodbye to my sister after a fierce battle with an illness that took her from us far too soon. In the time since, I have often found myself navigating the quiet space between profound loss and a profound sense of gratitude for the light she brought into this world. This website is a testament to that light, a place to celebrate the remarkable woman she was.

While I will always cherish the memories of her vibrant, fun-loving spirit—the sister I laughed with and leaned on—I also want to honor the powerful force she was in her professional life.

My sister served as the director of writing and critical inquiry at the University at Albany. This was not just a job to her; it was her calling. She was a true advocate, a freedom fighter who understood that the ability to think critically and write clearly is a fundamental tool for liberation. She believed passionately in the power of higher learning for all, not as a privilege for a few, but as a right for everyone.

For her, the classroom was a place of empowerment. She championed students, encouraging them to find their own voices and to question the world around them. She dedicated her career to breaking down barriers, building bridges of understanding, and fostering the kind of inquiry that moves society forward. Her work was, in essence, an act of profound love for her community and for the potential she saw in every student.

As we mark this anniversary, I choose to focus on that incredible legacy. Grief is a long and personal journey, but a legacy like hers is a public gift. It inspires us. It reminds us that a life dedicated to service, to education, and to fighting for others has an impact that illness can never touch.

In her spirit, may we all continue to learn, to question, to advocate, and to love our families and communities with that same fiery passion. Though she is no longer with us, her work continues, and her light remains unextinguished 🔥.