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Spring Into Action 2011
On April 21, 2011, nearly 200 people from across the state and country gathered at the Red Room Tapas Lounge in downtown Raleigh to celebrate the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman, Susan Hill, at Spring Into Action: An Evening Honoring Susan Hill. Learn more about Susan's life and legacy here.
Pro-choice champions Rep. Verla Insko, Rep. Rick Glazier, and Rep. Susan Fisher with keynote speaker Ellie Smeal (second from left)
Photo by Chris Niemann of Chris Niemann Photography
At the event, the first annual Susan Hill Legend Award was presented to Dr. James Dingfelder, a long-time colleague and friend to Susan, as well as a world-class physician who has practiced obstetrics and gynecology for more than 40 years. Ellie Smeal of the Feminist Majority Foundation delivered an inspiring keynote address.
Dr. Dingfelder's experience reflects Susan's vision for reproductive justice for all. For years he was a lead researcher in the field of abortion care, and was one of the few physicians at UNC School of Medicine to teach residents how to provide abortions.
In 1980, Dr. Dingfelder began his own private practice in Chapel Hill. He worked part-time in Susan's clinic, the Raleigh Women's Health Organization, to provide abortion and general reproductive health services for women. Over the years Dr. Dingfelder was blessed to develop a personal friendship with Susan that continued until her death in January 2010.
His nominator, Lajuan Carpenter, said, "Dr. Dingfelder has spent his professional life providing care to women that is compassionate, gentle, thoughtful, calming, and respectful. Like Susan, he sees the care of women as a life work woven into the fabric of his being and his family."
Special thanks to our fantastic sponsors, particularly Betty Craven and Michael Warner of The Warner Foundation for their transformative gift of $75,000.
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