Seated beside exhibits of historic wooden boats, ceiling murals and fishing nets at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, a large group of people gathered on Saturday to remember the late-Della Hardman whose influence continues to inspire people today.

The event marked the 20th anniversary of Della Hardman Day.

“Della Hardman’s reminder to savor the moment becomes something deeper when you’re a Black girl navigating a new country, new culture and new sense of self all at once,” said Natalie Wambui, the guest speaker at this year’s event. “It means claiming the moment, taking up space when the world tries to shrink you, and lifting your voice when you’ve been taught to whisper.”

This spring Ms. Wambui graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. She immigrated to the United States with her mother from Kenya in 2021 after having heart surgery at the age of five. She will attend Bennington College in the fall. 

Ms. Hardman's grandson, Wole C. Coaxum.

Hailey McLaughlin

Ms. Hardman's grandson, Wole C. Coaxum.

Hailey McLaughlin

Della Hardman was a longtime Vineyard resident, known for being an educator, writer and artist, who was also a longtime professor at West Virginia State College (now University). When she died in 2005, the town of Oak Bluffs set aside the last Saturday in July each year as Della Hardman Day, which has long been held on Ocean Park. This year, the event moved to the museum, located in Vineyard Haven.

Her daughter Andrea Taylor has organized the event each year.

Ford Curran, an archivist from Boston University, opened the proceedings.

“Della, as many of you know, throughout her life was a student, educator, artist and author,” Mr. Curran said. “After earning her master’s degree in 1945, she worked as a public school teacher, professor and in administration. In 1986, she moved to the Vineyard.”

Boston University holds a special place in the family’s heart as so many in the family earned degrees there. Ms. Hardman’s grandson, Wole C. Coaxum, spoke fondly of this relationship.

Andrea Taylor, Ms. Hardman's daughter and the organizer of the annual event.

Hailey McLaughlin

Andrea Taylor, Ms. Hardman's daughter and the organizer of the annual event.

Hailey McLaughlin

“Our first family member went to BU in 1935, which was my grandmother’s brother who got a master’s of law,” he told the crowd. “From there, my grandmother got her master’s, and I think we have 10 members of our family who have BU degrees.”

Mr. Coaxum introduced Ms. Wambui, who during her time in the hospital recovering from heart surgery wrote her first book of poems titled Natalie’s Poems. This was followed by two additional books: Extraordinary Kenyans Doing Extraordinary Things and My Country, My Story.

Ms. Wambui has spoken at the United Nations and in Geneva on gender-based violence. She moved to the Vineyard at the age of 13.

“Coming to America, I found myself dimming my light in order to blend in, toning myself down,” she said. “But today, in the spirit of Della Hardman, I choose to be full, to stand here in all my complexity as someone who has crossed oceans, language barriers and expectations. Someone who knows what it’s like to be both invisible and hyper visible at the same time.”

Ms. Wambui noted that she embraced the ideals of her new country, but that there is still more work to be done for equality.

“This is still a place where change is possible,” she said. “I believe that because I have to, because my story is possible, because Della Hardman’s story was possible, because every minority who dares to dream, speak, create, protest or even run for office, has made it possible.”

At the close of her speech, she again spoke about the enduring legacy of Della Hardman.

“So today, I stand in front of you, not just as a girl from Kenya, not just as a writer or a student or a speaker,” she said. “I stand as a reflection of what happens when one person dares to make space and another dares to fill it. Della Hardman made space, now it’s our turn to build more.”

In appreciation for Ms. Wambui’s talk, the audience gave her a standing ovation.

Mr. Coaxum told her he was proud to say that his grandmother would have wanted to meet her and that she would have been pleased to provide this platform for everyone to hear what she had to say.

The celebration concluded with cake.

Afterwards, Ms. Taylor said her mother was a generous listener, helping people achieve their aspirations, and that although Della Hardman Day may look different in the future, she wants to continue the event for future generations.

“You never know where the talent is, and my mother was very intentional about helping people find their lane and then to pursue their dreams,” said Ms. Taylor. “I think that today’s speaker is an example of using your talents to their fullest capacity. My mother would be thrilled.”