Harriett Hulbert (1933-2023)

Written by Sue Bramlette

It is with a heavy heart that I write about the passing of my mentor and friend, Harriett Susan Peterson Hulbert of Houston, Texas. Many of you will remember Harriett as the longtime tournament referee for the National Senior Women’s Clay Court Championships. After creating all of the draws and doing flawless match scheduling, Harriett ran the tournament desk in Houston and supervised the umpires for more than twenty years.  

Harriett was one of the most intelligent women I have ever encountered. She graduated from Northwestern University in 1954 with a degree in biology. While teaching school, she raised four children. Then she discovered tennis! She was one of the early members of the Houston Racquet Club where the Original Nine took their first dollar. She immediately became involved in creating a tournament for 35 and older players: the NSWCCC. Beginning with being a site director, Harriett   became the President of the Houston Tennis Association (1980-1981), then its Assistant Executive Director (1984-1986), and finally Executive Director (1986-2007). Even after her official retirement, she continued to advise and mentor. During her tenure at the HTA, the two most significant tournaments in Houston that she supervised annually were the NSWCCC and the Coca Cola Open, which for many years had the largest number of participants of any tennis tournament in the world. She also served on many committees with the Texas Section and USTA. She received numerous awards for her service to the sport of tennis, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Texas Section and enshrinement into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. 

Harriett began mentoring me when my daughter Christie took up the game of tennis in 1986. She was there for me literally at a moment’s notice until she left us. Her professionalism, intelligence, and no-nonsense leadership were gifts for which I am forever grateful.