Civil Rights Activist Georgine Hill Passes Away
Georgine Hill, a prominent activist against segregation in Bermuda for many years, passed away this past Monday [Jan 27], at age 95.
Originally hailing from Boston, Mrs. Hill brought her pro-equality sensibilities with her when she arrived in Bermuda in 1941 with her husband, the late Mr. Hilton G. Hill.
From the time that she arrived on the island, Mrs. Hill worked furiously to help guide Bermuda into an age of more racial equality. One of her most noteworthy endeavors was the organizing of a street protest against a local theatre that did not allow black patrons in 1951. That protest lead to years more of hard work against social racism in Bermuda, eventually striking a blow in 1959 that saw legal segregation ended on the island.
In the book Mind the Onion Seed by Nellie Musson, published in 1979, Mrs. Hill was described as having played a “key role in combating segregation in Bermuda.”
“Mrs. Hill’s fight began when she and Miss Carol Hill, both of whom were members of the New Theatre Guild, staged a two-woman picket line protesting at the Bermudiana Theatre Club’s box office on Front Street in Hamilton on 21st and 22nd February 1951.
“Following their picket action, Mrs. Georgine Hill wrote to the executive secretary of the Actors Equity in New York City and asked for his assistance in fighting discrimination in theatres in Bermuda.
“This set off a chain of events that saw Actors Equity quickly take Mrs Hill’s side and write to their members suggesting that they refrain from performing in Bermuda until the Bermudian Theatre Club’s policy changed. In effect, that Actors Equity should boycott Bermuda.
“The Bermudiana Theatre Club responded by announcing that their theatre club would be open to the general public three nights a week; leaving the other nights as ‘members only’ nights. However, Mrs Hill and the New Theatre Guild rejected this.
“Mrs. Hill wrote to a UK MP, making the point that if a UK-appointed Governor of Bermuda was seen to be officially attending a performance from which black Bermudians were barred, he would be seen as officially condoning the practice of racial segregation.
“This point was taken. The Colonial Office subsequently advised the Governor that “he should attend the Bermudiana Theatre Club only on nights when the general public could also attend”.
“For the Bermudiana Theatre Club, with the Governor representing the pinnacle of society, this promised economic and social ruination. The Club responded by opening their doors, every night of any performance, to all Bermudians – black as well as persons of unmixed European descent.
“This small but bold and successful battle against racial segregation had been fought and won before the summer of 1951. It pre-dated the better known 1959 Theatre Boycott by eight years.
“Mrs. Georgine Hill came from a well-to-do upper class black American background. At her Warwick home, she had several pictures of her forebears. She said that several had been involved, as far back as the 19th century, in struggles for black rights in America.”
Mrs. Hill leaves behind a son, Hilton “Buddy” Hill III, and a daughter, Dr. June Hill. Her husband, Mr. Hilton G. Hill, predeceased her.
Thad Hollis, Chairman of the OBA, says: “We were sad to hear of her passing. She was a tough, admirable lady who fought for good, and left an indelible mark on Bermuda society.”
Wonderful lady. A class act.
“From the time that she arrived on the island, Mrs. Hill worked furiously to help guide Bermuda into an age of more “racial equality.” One of her most noteworthy endeavors was the organizing of a street protest against a local theatre that did not allow black patrons in 1951″
What a great lost to Bermuda. Mrs. Hill did so much in terms of social progress to move Bermuda forward. I was sadden to hear the news of her passing. What a great mark she has made in Bermuda’s history. It was during a time of “Racial Segregation” had been fought and won before the summer of 1951. It pre-dated the better known 1959 Theatre Boycott by eight years. What a strong fight she fought.
History of her life is forever rich, and must be taught to our children. Each family must pass this knowledge on, and help our children to better understand the struggle. A struggle that still continues today.
My deepest condolences to the family. May God bless you and give you the strength to carry on.
Much Love.
Absolutely amazing legacy Ms. Hill has left behind.
What I find most ironic is that she immigrated here and enacted so much change.
Good thing the wild xenophobic hysteria, that now encapsulates many Bermudians, wasn’t present at that time, or else individuals like Ms. Hill, Ms. Ball and Dame Evans (whose parents immigrated here) would have never left their mark on Bermuda society.
RIP Ms. Hill. Gone but never forgotten.
Thanks to the family of Mrs. Hill.
The struggle continues.
BE WATCHFUL ALWAYS !!
Looking at the dislikes shows that the same spirit that Mrs. Hill fought against is still present.
She is featured on the documented DVD, When Voices Rise.
A DVD that gives a Historical outlook of how desegregation progressed in Bermuda.
The wild xenophobic hysteria is really only meant for white folks.
Maybe they didn’t have the wild xenophobic hysteria as you say back then but they definitely had Racism, injustice and separation.
The xenophobic situation came later when the Oligarchy System manipulated the inflow of Europeans as part of their mandate to enforce their stronghold.
@Mazumbo , you might use the late DR E F Gordons nick name but all you do is spew hate and racists ideas, You are not like the late Mrs Hill or the late Docter, so using his name is an insult to all who knew of him personaly..Yes we struggled in those years which made us a better people today, but what have you done personaly for your people or country??i suggest you introduce your top lip, to your bottom lip and shut the h-ll up sometimes, As to the family of Mrs Hill and friends , yes the struggle never ends, and we can never forget ..But in life there are all kinds of struggles and life goes on..
I think you mean “Zulu” but no big thing, but it seems you have a problem with me speaking the truth (something that these two distinguished people you’ve mentioned gave their life for) and there’s nothing that I’ve said that cant be verified Historically or present.
So I make no apology for speaking the Truth so if it offends you get over it!
Right now it’s about Mrs. Hill and her contribution.
When exactly did this “speaking the truth” thing happened? I must have missed it.
P.S I have some literature of Dr. Gordon’s language that he used but being you cant handle my watered down version it would be prudent not to print it.
Perception is reality. Your perception doesn’t necessarily equal truth, but it does equal your reality. They had an issue with your name, not your perceived version of truth. Should I change my name to Mandela? No, I’d swim in those shoes. Get it?
For Christ’s sake look at what the struggle is. In case you don’t know, it is RACISM–wHITE Supremacy. Blacks are freaking tired of it too. It will never cease as long as whites and Blacks occupy planet earth. It robs Blacks of the joy of what it means to truly live and be free from abuse. Mrs. Hill came into this world and there it was and departed this world and it still remains. That does not paint a pretty picture on the canvas of my mind. It is a sad and tragic commentary when you examine what racism is and how it works. It is a meticulously crafted system/institution developed by whites to conquer, exploit and/or annihilate all non-whites on planet earth.
Alice Childress, Actress & Writer had this to say: “I believe racism has killed more people than speed, heroin, cancer and will continue to kill until it is no more.”
I am sorry that Mrs. Hill spent her short life upon this earth struggling for racial justice. She is gone and it remains nasty business as usual.
Rest now Mrs Hill. Thank you for all you did.
I did not know her well and only met her in recent years, but she was a formidable and impressive lady. Now I resd of her legacy, my admiration is increased. Bermuda has lost a true heroine, and can we not build upon her legacy together rather than snipe at one another?
Condolences to the family