Uncrowned Community Builders

Ms. Bertha M. Hill Bradley has dedicated her entire life to health and health related issues in the Black community in Buffalo, New York. She was born in Buffalo on July 20, 1932. Although she describes herself as being born "with a physical handicap, a woman, Black, and poor," and characterizes her struggle as "knocking, kicking, slamming, shouting, begging, fighting, screaming, crying, pushing, and shoving to tear down the walls of discrimination in America," she epitomizes the essence of professional and personal community service.

Bertha Hill began her career in 1952 at the Millard Fillmore Hospital as a "helper," but was soon promoted to "nursing assistant" due to her "can-do attitude." She briefly left Buffalo to go to school in Chicago, Illinois where she received a certificate in License Practical Nursing (L.P.N.) from Greiger Vocational School in 1961. Returning to Buffalo, she received her Business Diploma from the Kensington Business School in Buffalo in 1968. She received a diploma from Edward J. Meyer Memorial Hospital in Registered Nursing, and a Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree from Daeman College while married, raising a family, working in her profession, and serving her church and surrounding community.

At the age of 66, she graduated from Medaille College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Human Services with a grade point average of 3.9. She also received a certificate in Disability Studies. In 1981, she became the third Black professional nurse to be promoted to the Nursing Supervisor Position at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, now Roswell Park Cancer Institute. In 1987, she became the second Black professional nurse to become the Director of Nursing at Sheehan Memorial Hospital. Four years later, she became the first Black Director for the Certified Nursing Assistants Program at Seventy Eight Restoration, Inc.

Today in retirement, Bertha Hill Bradley is an educator having lectured on various health-related subjects at the University at Buffalo and Educational Opportunity Center. She is a community activist and organizer on issues surrounding healthcare in the Black community and currently serves as the president for the affiliated chapter of the Sisters Network, Inc., a member of the faith-based Mind, Body, and Soul Project; the Witness Project of Buffalo; and the American Cancer Society. She was founder and president of Ordered Steps, a human service community organization; People Assisting People Outreach Ministry (P.A.P.), a faith-based program at Grace Tabernacle Church of God and Christ where she is a member and part of the initial group who worked with her late Pastor Elder Houston Williams, to spearhead the founding of the Grace Manor Nursing Home. This nursing home is the first and only Western New York African American nursing home. She served on its Board of Directors from 1983-2000 and continues to volunteer when needed.

She has received numerous awards including: Certificate of Appreciation and Outstanding Service Citation in Nursing Service from Roswell Park Memorial Institute; the Edward J. Meyer School of Nursing Alumni Association Award; the American Cancer Society title Voice of Hope in Erie County; Distinguished Service Award from the Community Interaction Committee at Sheehan Memorial Hospital; and the Nurse of Distinction Award for her commitment to the Nursing Profession from the Buffalo Metropolitan Black Nurses Association.