The longtime leader of the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, whose work helped make it the first national park honoring an African-American woman, has died.
Karen Hill, a nationally recognized advocate for affordable housing and the preservation of African-American history, died Nov. 24 at the age of 72.
Hill spent more than 30 years working in underserved communities, holding leadership roles including Program Director for the National Urban League, Chief Executive of the Affordable Housing Implementation Office, and Chair of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Early in her career, she oversaw the federal implementation of Yonkers’ court-ordered housing desegregation, shaping policies that advanced equity in the city.
Hill became widely known for her work preserving the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York. As President and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, Inc., she helped secure federal legislation establishing the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park, the first national park honoring an African-American woman. She also played a key role in the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act and advocated to keep Tubman’s image on the $20 bill.
She served on the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and promoted educational programs highlighting Tubman’s role in abolition and women’s rights. A graduate of Simmons College, Hill was active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Inc., the Order of the Eastern Star, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Hill is survived by her mother, brother, and a wide circle of family and friends, according to her obituary. Her life was defined by service, leadership, and a dedication to preserving history for future generations.
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