In Memoriam: Susan Hill

The National Organization for Women is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Susan Hill, president of the National Women's Health Foundation and a 2009 recipient of NOW's Woman of Courage award.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Hill received a degree in social work from Meredith College in 1970. She went on to open the first abortion clinic in the state of Florida and 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. Due to her public dedication to reproductive rights, Hill was a perpetual target of anti-abortion protestors. She was close friends with abortion provider Dr. George Tiller, who was murdered last May.

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.

Despite suffering from cancer, Hill continued to be a dedicated champion for women's reproductive rights. Countless women were able to access abortion care thanks to Susan Hill, and NOW celebrates her life.