Lifelong activist and Newburgh native Gabrielle (Burton) Hill announced her run for Orange County Legislator District Four, running against incumbent Democrat Kevindaryán Luján. Her upbringing that taught her how to care for everyone, combined with her passion to push Newburgh towards the best version of itself, is why she thinks she is the right candidate. She describes herself as a “bonafide agent of change.”

For years, Hill has been inspiring and encouraging others to go after their biggest dreams. When one person more recently turned the question to Hill and asked her what dreams she was aiming for, she realized she was ready to make the jump to run for this position. That, combined with her desire for community service and activism work, she knew it was time.

Her two-pronged decision rests on years and years of what makes Hill who she is today. It starts with her parents (who got engaged just minutes after locking eyes for the first time) and the home they raised Hill in. Even though her father didn’t know his own dad, he and Hill’s mother paved their own way since settling into their home on Liberty Street in 1982.

“Despite the hardships of my parent’s beginning, they still found a way to not only love each other but love the community and be supportive to family and friends,” said Hill.

Hill’s childhood home was one that invited neighbors in, lended a bed for someone in need, gave away necessities for others and more.

“I grew up in a household of giving and always helping out those who were less fortunate,” said Hill. “Because of that upbringing, I had a strong sense of community, volunteering and giving back.”

She spent most of her time at the Newburgh Free Library, where she volunteered as a literacy tutor, helping those who were reading for the first time or english as a second language learners. As a literacy tutor, she heard firsthand experiences of housing issues, medical issues, and transportation issues among other things.

These early experiences shaped Hill to continue to spread community work throughout her years. She graduated from the Newburgh Enlarged City School District in 1983 and quickly learned that she found joy in customer service.

In 2010, Hill became a single mother to her two daughters (now, she’s a grandmother too). After taking some time off work, she joined the career field with a part-time McDonald’s gig – which was perfect for her at the time as she navigated childcare and her father’s care as well.

What started as a part-time job, turned into Hill earning the Crew Person of the Year Award in 2014, out of the entire tri-state area, which includes 631 different McDonald’s. However, the secret to her achievement was no surprise. She says it’s because of her genuine care for people and treating every individual with humanity, dignity and respect, no matter who they are or what they look like.

Her same skills used at McDonald’s she plans to apply as a legislator if elected. She believes her community-centered approach doubled with her genuine care would lead to success. So much so, she already feels like she succeeded, just by her campaign allowing her the opportunity to meet more community members, learn what the needs are in the City of Newburgh, and inspire others to step outside of their comfort zone.

She says Newburgh has the recipe for being a “successful, vibrant” city. The “recipe,” used as an acronym, includes rich history and resources, education, community collaboration, innovation, people (“the greatest asset”), and energy.

“I hope that my campaign will energize people to step up and step forward and get involved and go onto the things that are so passionate and burning in their hearts,” said Hill. “I aspire to inspire others to go for their dreams. That’s who I am.”

She believes that while Newburgh might have some setbacks, it is a city full of “compassionate, resilient, and strong individuals that make daily life hopeful.” She plans to push for livable wage jobs, quality affordable housing, youth and young adult programming, and total wellbeing for all residents – which includes mental health. Hill wants to partner with the Orange County Department of Social Services and Mental Health “to continue supporting our residents and providing them care to move them from poverty to stability and success.”

Aside from the aforementioned community work, she is a former member and chairperson of the Newburgh Housing Authority and former member of the Newburgh Police Community Relations and Review Board. She also volunteers for the City of Newburgh historian’s office, the Newburgh Armory Unity Center and St. Mary’s Giving Day. Hill was also a recipient of the Newburgh Black Pioneers Award in 2018. More recently, she is the co-founder of the Frederick Douglass in Newburgh Project and is spearheading the coalition to oversee the “return of the remains of ‘The 99’ fellow citizens whose resting place was destroyed over a decade ago” at Newburgh’s Colored Burial Ground.

If elected, she plans to work with not only community members but other legislators to get things done through a human needs and holistic approach.

“I could lay out a point plan, but how many people do that and it doesn’t happen?,” said Hill, who is striving for an “obtainable and relevant approach.” “Human needs outweigh political affiliation. I have and will continue to work with others who have a different point of view.”

To learn more about Hill, visit her Facebook page.