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Susan Hill Obituary
Susan Hill gained national prominence as a champion for women’s rights. She was President of the National Women's Health Organization, a group of abortion clinics in Raleigh and the Southeast.
Born and raised in Durham, North Carolina, Hill graduated from Charles E. Jordan High School in 1966, and received a degree in social work from Meredith College in 1970. She went on to be a social worker in Florida, then open the first abortion clinic in the state of Florida. She was a founding member of both the National Abortion Federation and the National Coalition of Abortion Providers.
A longtime owner of women's health clinics, Hill served as plaintiff in over 30 federal and state lawsuits concerning abortion rights, and was a key plaintiff in the NOW v. Scheidler case that charged abortion opponents with using violence, intimidation and extortion to put women's clinics out of business.
In 2007 Susan Hill received the Nancy Susan Reynolds award -- also known as "North Carolina's Nobel Prize" and the state's highest honor for public advocacy in the face of personal risk. She also won the North Carolina Planned Parenthood Margaret Sanger Award and the Raleigh NOW Award.
Ms. Hill is preceded in death by her infant sister, Mary Ann, her father, Dan Hill, Jr. of Durham, her twin sister Nancy Hill of Raleigh, and her mother Anne Hill of Durham. Susan is survived by her brothers, Dan Hill, III and his wife Susie and their two children Dax and Todd of Durham, and Frank Hill and his wife Judy and their three children Cameron, James and Patrick, of Charlotte. She is also survived by special friends Van Webb of Raleigh, Jaime and Freddie Combs of Raleigh, Ann Rose of Atlanta, Diane Derzis of Birmingham, Melbra LeGrand of Raleigh, McCoy Faulkner of Raleigh, and Lajuan Carpenter of Zebulon. She is also survived by the staff of the Raleigh Women’s Health Organization and countless friends and admirers.
A public Memorial Service will be planned in the next few months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Rex Cancer Center, the National Women’s Health Foundation, or the Feminist Majority Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Susan Hill
David Forrest
September 3, 2010
Susan and I worked together when I was the bank manager at Central Carolina Bank, two offices down from her on Haworth. It had been a few years since we had talked and I tried to call her today only to hear the tragic news. Susan was always a kind, friendly, easy to work with lady and will be missed.
Kenneth Johnson
April 2, 2010
This is Kenneth. I met Susan when I was working in Cameron Village. I loved her at first sight! She always waved at me when she came into the store. Susan told me that someday, I would meet somebody. She was right! Her name is Frances, My Angel. Susan, you were RIGHT!!! God Pless You!! Your Friend Kenneth.
Elinor Yeo
February 14, 2010
I was the director of the Milwaukee Womens Health organization for 14 years, and Susan was my boss and my friend. She was incredibly supportive and helpful throughout all of our troubles: death threats to me and my children, violence to my husband and all the rest. She truly cared about the health and welfare of women. I was very sad to hear of her premature death and will always remember her. Elinor Yeo (Boston, MA)
diane derzis
February 8, 2010
I am so lucky to have had Susan in my life-she was a mentor, a sounding board,my inspiration, and my dear friend. Susan was ALWAYS a lady - one of the funniest stories happened several weeks before she died when she informed a doctor that he 'had no social graces'=this was so susan.
She was always coming up with new ideas to better women's health care-to ensure that poor women had access to health care. She was a woman who put her money where her mouth was. She is missed.
Al Flail
February 8, 2010
Dear Dan and Frank,
I are saddened to hear of your loss of Susan. She was quite extraordinary and very brave. I'm proud to have had the opportunity to know her when what now seems like a very, vert long time ago.
My best to you both and your families.
Al Flail
Marilyn Kaskel
February 7, 2010
Susan and I met several years ago when we started working together on a documentary. I was first struck by how glamorous she was but deep admiration quickly followed. She was smart, passionate and committed and she inspired me all the time. Her life made a huge difference and her loss will too. I will miss her terribly.
February 7, 2010
May God have mercy on her soul. May she rest in peace.
Leonard Nelson
February 6, 2010
I pray she may rest in peace with a loving creator.
Denise Fowler
February 6, 2010
Thanks to Susan for having the courage to ensure that women have access to safe, legal abortions in this state and country. I worked for Susan when Raleigh Women's Health first opened. She and that experience forever altered my life. I am grateful to Susan and to her sweet sister, Nancy, Jaime, and all the others at RWHO for continuing to provide services despite threats and daily challenges. May Susan's spirit, energy, and commitment live on. Thank you, Susan.
Denise Fowler (Page)
Patricia Ireland
February 6, 2010
Susan Hill brought great inspiration into my life and the life of our movement. She was smart and funny and courageous...one of those whose life made a real difference in improving the lives of others. Hers was a life well lived. I feel privilged to have known her and will miss her.
February 5, 2010
Susan Hill is a woman I have admired for years. Her intelligence enabled her to successfully debate any legislator or "Pro-life" champion. Susan's beauty and wit brought some fun times also.
Susan had an unusual power and strength in everything she did.
She will surely be missed.
Bette Loomis Datelle Atlanta,GA
February 5, 2010
I thank Susan for her life-long service to women. I salute her courage to continue this service in the face of threats and incredible challenges. She will be missed by people who have never even heard of her.
Roberta Waddle
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