Susan Hill papers, 1976-2003

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Collection is restricted: Box 9 of Accession 2003-0241 is closed to patron use. Access note. Some materials in this collection are fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be...
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Summary

Creator:
Hill, Susan
Abstract:
Susan Hill is a North Carolina native, social worker, activist for female reproductive rights, and founder of the National Women's Health Organization. Collection includes newspaper clippings related to abortion and women's health issues, records from the National Women's Health Organization, and audiovisual material. Acquired as part of the Sallie Bingham Center for Women's History and Culture.
Extent:
24.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
RL.00545

Background

Scope and content:

Collection consists primarily of newspaper clippings (local, national, and international) pertaining to abortion, the anti-abortion movement, and other women's health issues, kept by staff of the National Women's Health Organization (NWHO) and its regional clinics (WHOs) in Raleigh, N.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Wilmington, Del.; Jackson, Miss.; Fargo, N.D.; Fort Worth, Tex.; Orlando, Fla.; and Milwaukee, Wis. Also contains NWHO legal files, largely pertaining to the NOW (National Organization of Women) v. Scheidler case (1986-2003), and to RICO (the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), which plaintiffs in the case applied to the anti-abortion movement. Regional WHO clinics were among the plaintiffs for NOW v. Scheidler, and Hill acted as a key witness. The collection also includes a small number of general office/subject files. Arranged into three categories: Clippings, General Office/Subject Files, and Legal Files. The Clippings were received in chronological groupings, and are thus described in more detail than the General Office/Subject Files and Legal Files, which are less organized.

Accessions (2008-0114 and 2009-0110) consist largely of operational and legal files from the NWHO and its regional clinics, including Raleigh, N.C.; Columbus, Ga.; Delaware; Central Florida; Fargo, N.D.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Summit (Milwaukee), Wis. Materials include facilities management files; leases and other real estate information; litigation records and lawsuits between NWHO and anti-abortion groups; police and case reports; statutes about abortion procedures; and NWHO board meeting files.

Accession (2010-0019) consists of audiovisual material: 24 VHS tapes plus 2 DVD copies (master and use) of each tape. Contents include news specials relating to NWHO and the abortion debate; also includes testimony footage, interviews, and other NWHO events.

Accession (2012-0252) consists of 24 DVDs related to the NWHO clinics owned and operated by Susan Hill. Footage includes television appearances by Hill and/or her clinics, clinic protests, congressional testimony, and a documentary film entitled "Abortion for Survival."

Biographical / historical:

North Carolina native; social worker; activist for reproductive rights; founder and director, National Women's Health Organization (NWHO, an organization of eight clinics serving as a leader in providing abortion services to under-served areas of the United States since 1976). President, National Women's Health Foundation, support foundation to the NWHO.

Acquisition information:
The Susan Hill Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift from Susan Hill from 2003-2012.
Processing information:

Processed by Elizabeth Arnold

Completed June 30, 2004

Encoded by Elizabeth Arnold

Updated by Meghan Lyon, April 2009 and January 2010

Updated by Leah Tams, March 2023

This collection is unprocessed: materials may not have been ordered and described beyond their original condition.

Accessions described in this collection guide: 2003-0241, 2008-0114, 2009-0110, 2010-0019, and 2012-0252.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials

Restrictions:

Collection is restricted: Box 9 of Accession 2003-0241 is closed to patron use.

Access note. Some materials in this collection are fragile audiovisual/photographic formats that may need to be reformatted before use. Contact Research Services for access.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Susan Hill Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

Permalink:
https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m1462b