BOARDMEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON ANNIE PEARL SMITH HILL

Title: Retired 35-year Glades Area employee of the School District of Palm Beach County

Personal: Married 55 years to David Enoch Hill and mother of one daughter, Derald Cordelia Hill Shirley, a Head Start teacher in Broward County, who is married to Cedric Shirley of the Broward County Sheriff's Office

The best thing about working with NOAH is: Its dedicated board and employees who continue to march to the drum beat of its mission with focus, determination and perfection that's second to none.

I am most proud of: NOAH's comprehensive approach to service delivery to accomplish its mission to improve housing in the Glades area of Palm Beach County and to empower disadvantaged individuals toward self-help and sufficiency from prenatal to preschool. I'm also proud of how NOAH helps families raise healthy children, its childcare development center programs, dedication to helping new mothers and youth mentor programs that allow NOAH to be a resource for families in transition.

My vision for NOAH is a continued extension and expansion in fulfillment of its mission, expanding from rental properties to single family homes.

My background: Grew up in Belle Glade, former migrant, eldest daughter of the late Mr. Willie Ree and Mrs. Anna Lester Smith of Belle Glade. Attended elementary schools in Florida, New Mexico, California and New York. Retired in 1992 after 35 years of service in Belle Glade as a first grade teacher, K-12 resource teacher, West Area title I/Chapter I Migrant Program Coordinator, Early Childhood Specialist

Education, highlights and achievements: Graduated in 1947 from the phased out Belle Glade Elementary colored School. Then graduated in 1952 from the phased out Everglades Vocational High School in Belle Glade. Activities and honors: Was class president; drum majorette; a member of the Mighty Bob Cat basketball team; May Day Queen; and recipient of a medal for All Around Girl Athlete.

Graduated in 1957 from Bethune-Cookman College, now Bethune-Cookman University, with a B.S. degree in elementary education. Activities and honors: Was a majorette; ran track; was 1953 Ms. National Alumni; Life Member Alumni Association; 1999 recipient of the National Alumni Distinguished Award; National Edward Rodriguez award; current chair of the Annual National Ms. Bethune-Cookman University Alumni contest

Graduated in 1963 from Indiana University, Bloomington with an M.S. degree in education and is a Life Member of the National Alumni Association, Bloomington Indiana.

Achievements and associations:

• First Black Field Vice President, Palm Glades Girls Scout Council, Lake Worth
• Member of the Palm Beach County Library System Advisory Board (first Black chairman 2001-2002)
• Member and Deaconess, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Belle Glade
• Life member, Glades Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
• Member/Secretary of NOAH Development Corp Advisory Board
• 2006 Recipient of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Presidential Distinguished Alumni Award received in New Orleans (BCC), 31st Annual Conference on Blacks in Higher Education

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