Margaret Hill Receives Honor, Recognition

SAN BERNARDINO>> Margaret Hill has many titles to her name including the current president of the San Bernardino City Schools Board of Trustees, author, active member on many organizations and committees, and now, she can add "Woman of Dignity Health Woman of the Year" to her list of achievements. With the entire room full of community members during the Woman of Dignity Health Woman of the Year Luncheon on Sept. 8, numerous people gathered to honor Hill. Among the packed room included San Bernardino Mayor Carey Davis, representative from Assemblyman Marc Steinorth's office and Linda Bardere, Director of Communications for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. "We extend congratulations and join the Women of Dignity Health in honoring you as "Woman of the Year," Bardere said. Hill was introduced by Mary Hunt, CEO of Ballard Rehab, a Community Hospital of San Bernardino board member and a Woman of Dignity Health steering committee member, and Sara Hector, owner of Visiting Angels, Redlands Fitness Training and Pointed Toes, St. Bernadine Medical Center Foundation board member and the chair for the Woman of Dignity Health steering committee. During Hill's introduction, a slideshow screen showcased all the awards and achievements Hill has made. "As you can see, Margaret is everywhere and one of the city's greatest supporters," they said. "She strives every day to make this city great and encourages us all to join with her." Hill thanked everyone in attendance guests for making the day a special day for her. "Thank you so much," Hill said during her speech. "This is quite an honor." Hill is an author of two books including “It’s All About the Children,” which published in 2011. Her second book, “From Sharecropping to Non-Stopping: Reflections on Life from a Veteran Educator,” published in 2015 and she gave copies to attendees while also taking a moment to meet with guests and sign her book. During the mayors speech, Davis noted that the picture of Hill on the cover of her book, "From Sharecropping to Non-Stopping: Reflections on Life from a Veteran Educator," has a light reflecting on her. "She shares the light on each of us when she goes about our community with her service, dedication and commitment she has made," Davis said. Davis gave her a certificate of recognition to congratulate her on her dedication to the community. "I just enjoy the work I do that for this community so much," Hill said. "I am concerned about (San Bernardino), but I know that we are going to get better but it takes each one of us to be out there, plowing the field, and you can see that in my book. We have to plow the field." Hill urged everyone in attendance to wake up in the morning and "pull some weeds" so the beauty of the city can be seen. For 32 years, Hill worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal for the San Bernardino County School District and worked as the assistant superintendent for the San Bernardino County School Office of Education for six years. She has also been an adjunct professor at the University of Redlands and California State University, San Bernardino. Hill is a First 5 Commissioner, chair of the Community Action Partnership San Bernardino County and serves on the finance committee of Community Hospital of San Bernardino. She is an active member of the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, San Bernardino City Police Advisory Committee and Foundation Board, Charter member of the Highland Family YMCA and the County Sheriff Citizen Exchange Committee. The Women of Dignity Health is donor group for women that raises funds for the advancement of two Inland Empire hospitals — Dignity Health - St. Bernadine Medical Center and Dignity Health - Community Hospital of San Bernardino. Women of Dignity Health members are invited to attend the group’s two premier events each year, the spring luncheon and the fall "Woman of the Year Award" luncheon. Non-members can also attend these events for a nominal fee. In addition, members are invited to attend other events and activities promoted by the Dignity Health- Inland Empire Office of Philanthropy.