The Virginia House of Delegates on Jan. 20 formally honored Dr. Golden Bethune Hill, noting her career in nursing, community health and her role as lead plaintiff in the long-running case Bethune Hill v. Virginia Board of Elections.

Delegate Beverly Ward of Hampton presented House Joint Resolution 584, saying Dr. Bethune Hill "was totally committed to helping people. Her goal was to produce the best nurses in the world." Ward listed Hill's roles in health care and the community, including service as the first African American director of nursing and later executive vice president at Riverside Hospital, and co-founder of the Newport News Community Free Clinic, now the Charlie W. and Golden Bethune Hill Community Health Clinic.

The tribute said Hill earned a BS in nursing from North Carolina A&T State University and an MS in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University, helped establish a Dorothy McDaniel scholarship at Hampton University for students in single-parent households, and served as a deacon and elder at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church. Ward told the chamber Hill also led civic organizations, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the Links.

Delegate Marcia Price, chair of Privileges and Elections, recounted Hill's role in challenging racially gerrymandered legislative districts. "This case was revolutionary for voting rights and set the stage for the 2020 legislation to make racial, political, and prison gerrymandering illegal, as well as the 2021 Voting Rights Act of Virginia," Price said, referring to Bethune Hill v. Virginia Board of Elections. Price said the plaintiffs ultimately prevailed after appeals, and that 11 districts affected by the litigation were redrawn.

Family members attended the presentation on the floor; those named in the proceedings included Dr. Charlie Hill, Gladys Clark and Geneva Brown, Carolyn Hill and other relatives and friends who were invited to stand in the gallery.

The resolution was presented as already adopted by the House in February, according to remarks on the floor; the transcript gives the month but does not specify the exact February date.

Votes at a glance: During the same session the House also agreed by voice vote to a motion from the delegate from Alexandria, Delegate Herring, to adjourn until Wednesday, April 2 at 12:31 p.m. The motion was approved on a voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.