A former longtime Southwest Airlines executive and respected public relations professional passed away last weekend.
Ginger Hardage, who had a 25-year career at the Dallas-based airline, died Saturday at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. Hardage retired from Southwest in 2015 after more than two decades at the company, including 10 years as SVP of culture and communications, the airline’s highest-ranking communications officer.
“She made a lasting impact on our company and people during a period of profound growth and change,” Southwest chairman emeritus Gary Kelly told PR Week. “Even though she retired from Southwest a decade ago, she leaves behind an amazing legacy of accomplishment, friendship and leadership.”
Linda Rutherford, Southwest’s recently-retired chief administration officer and a former colleague of Hardage, referred to her longtime coworker as “the real deal.”
“Her charm, grace, ever-stylish outfits, and her ability to remain calm in any situation were just a few of her enviable traits,” Rutherford told PR Daily.
A distinguished career
Hardage earned acclaim throughout her career, including before and after her time at Southwest.
The Texas Tech alum began working in communications at Life Insurance Company of the Southwest and then moved on to Maxus Energy. She joined Southwest in 1990 and spent the next 25 years with the airline.
In 2017, Hardage founded Unstoppable Cultures, a consulting brand designed to “help organizations create and sustain cultures of enduring greatness.”
Hardage also won numerous awards over the years, including being named one of Texas’ Most Powerful and Influential Women and earning a spot in the Page Hall of Fame.
Tributes pouring in
Since news of Hardage’s death began circulating, constituents from around the public relations and communications spaces have been honoring her with online tributes.
“This is an immense loss for our profession; it’s a bigger one for humanity,” said Corey duBrowa, CEO of Burson Global. “Ginger was an all star communicator but beyond that, one of the finest human beings I ever had the pleasure to know or work alongside. A gem. Godspeed friend.”
“I’m so grateful that my time at Southwest Airlines connected me with such a remarkable and beautiful soul—someone who always made me feel cared for. I will deeply miss your radiant heart and your unforgettable smile, Ginger,” said Ana Schwager, another former colleague of Hardage, on LinkedIn.
“Ginger was the personification of professionalism married to charm married to warmth married to grace, grit and wit,” added corporate communications professional Jeff Herrington.
