Harriet Gertrude Cain Reisser was born in Chicago on September 15, 1921. She attended the Chicago public schools and graduated from Sullivan High School in June, 1937. Between 1937 and 1939 Reisser was a student in Northwestern University's College of Liberal Arts. She transferred to the University's School of Speech and in 1941 Northwestern awarded her a bachelor of science degree with distinction.
From the guide to the Harriet Cain Reisser (1921- ) Papers, 1937-1941, (Northwestern University Archives)