Betty Hill

The City Project Celebrates Women’s History Month

Betty Hill, born Rebecca Jane Perkins, was the wife of Buffalo Soldier Abraham Houston Hill. The couple moved to Los Angeles in 1913 and Mrs. Hill quickly became a community leader. Mrs. Hill helped to form the Westside Homeowners’ Association to fight bigotry, founded the Women’s Republican Study Club, and was the founding member of the NAACP Los Angeles branch. In 1928 the couple opened Hotel Somerville (now known as the Dunbar Hotel) to accommodate blacks. She is also thought to be the first African-American woman to run a political campaign.

Learn more about Monuments, Diversity, and Democracy.