Anita H. Grant

Anita H. Grant was born October 6, 1961 in Queens, New York. She was adopted by the Grant family who fully embraced her and prepared her for life beyond their loving home. She grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she graduated from Grimsley High School in 1979. At an early age, she accepted Christ into her life under the pastoral leadership of her father at Johnson's Chapel in Wadesboro, North Carolina. In her youth, Anita was involved in the Girl Scouts, various church activities, school band, and she was a debutante. Her keen interest in libraries grew from the many hours spent at the library located adjacent to her home. She matriculated to Bennett College (Greensboro), where she completed her Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in 1984, and went on to pursue her graduate studies at Clark Atlanta University where, in 1987, she fulfilled requirements for a Master in Library and Information Science (MLS). Early on, Anita was employed as Library Administrator at the Salvation Army College for Officer's Training before transitioning to a career with Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, where she has worked and resided since 1991. While at OU, she was employed as the Head of Circulation Services, managed the OU Libraries Micro-Films Department, and most recently held the position of Electronics Acquisitions Librarian. In this role, Anita was instrumental in making significant research databases discoverable to the University community by building the libraries' electronic resource management database. She also assisted with pulling usage statistics for databases and journals and served for many years as a subject librarian including social work, an area that seemed to be especially appreciative of her skills and kind assistance. In addition, Anita was affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA), Association for Library Collections Technical Services (ALCTS), Association of College Research Libraries (ACRL), served as Coordinator of Diversity Initiatives for the University Libraries (2003-2007), and was an active member of the Libraries' Diversity Committee (2008-present). She was recognized in the 2010 and 2011 editions of Who's Who in America. Anita was a woman of faith, who lived by high moral standards and a spirit of excellence. She was a member of World Harvest Church, in Columbus, Ohio, where she was an active part of the Children's Ministry and the Greeting Committee. Additionally, Anita proudly served her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Initiated into the Alpha Omicron Omega Chapter (Institute, West Virginia) in 2002, she immediately became an active participant on many committees. Over the next several years, she was elected to several chapter offices, including vice president. In 2007, Anita's leadership took another step forward when she was elected president. During her tenure (2007-2011), the chapter affected the lives of many in Charleston, West Virginia and Athens, Ohio, and received recognition as the 2011 Outstanding Graduate Chapter for the Great Lakes Region. Anita was appointed to the Great Lakes Regional Membership Committee (2012-2014) and, while fulfilling her committee duties, also took on the challenge of writing a comprehensive history of her chapter. The history book, Alpha Omicron Omega's Timeless History, co-authored by Anita, was presented at the sorority's 2012 International Conference in San Francisco, California. Anita's love for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was manifested by thirteen years of tireless service. At the time of her death, she was was serving as the chapter parliamentarian and chairperson of the Standards Committee. On December 21, 2015, at the age of 54, Anita was called to rest from her labors while at the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her mother, Sarah Ann Brown Grant, and father Horace Cleveland Grant. Anita is survived by her sisters Audrey Renee (Willard O'Neal) Carpenter and Mary Elizabath Little; niece Ashley Alexandra Carpenter; nephew Willard Antonionne Carpenter; great niece Rhonda Jonelle Chrisp; great nephew Amir Carpenter; and a host of other relatives and dear friends. She was greatly loved and will be sorely missed by all whose lives she touched.