Life Of DC Resident Angie Hill To Be Celebrated At Sousa Bridge

WASHINGTON, DC — Friends and community members will celebrate the life of Angela “Angie” Hill on Sunday, Feb. 19 at an event under the Sousa Bridge at Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast D.C.

The public is invited to the memorial, an event organized by community advocate Sharon Wise, who was a friend of Hill, and 10-year-old activist Zohaib Begg, who has been working with Wise to help D.C.'s unhoused residents. The celebration of Hill's life will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Hill, an unhoused resident, died in freezing temperatures under the Sousa Bridge on Feb. 19, 2021, at the age of 58.

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser proclaimed Feb. 19, 2023, as "Angela ‘Angie’ Hill Day."

Hill became a neighborhood fixture, living near the John Philip Sousa Bridge underpass in Southeast Washington for at least 10 years, according to Bowser's proclamation. She was a caring mother and grandmother, loved by her family and respected by neighbors in the surrounding Hillcrest area.

"Deeply touched by Ms. Hill's humanity, Hillcrest neighbors, District of Columbia social workers and commuters routinely brought her food and resources to ease the burden of being unhoused," the proclamation reads.

Ashley Brown, Hill’s daughter, told The Washington Post that her mother had lived at the underpass “for well over 10 years.”

“It's just been a really tough, tough struggle trying to keep her alive out there,” Brown told the Post at the time of her mother's death. “We just tried to make sure she had the things she needed to survive. . . . At times, we tried to take her physically somewhere, and she would fight. My mom was most comfortable where she was.”

Over the past year, Wise has worked with Zohaib, a resident of Ashburn, serving as his mentor. Together, they have distributed more than 1,000 care kits and countless meals to the unhoused residents of D.C.

"He gets it," Wise said of the 1o-year-old's dedication to helping people in D.C.

“Ms. Sharon’s personal story of transformation from homeless to an award-winning advocate is so inspiring to me. She taught me how to treat our unhoused friends with compassion and dignity. I love our unique bond," Zohaib told Patch.

Wise, an award-winning filmmaker, artist, motivational speaker and community advocate, was born in Chicago but has lived in D.C. for 32 years.

At Sunday's memorial for Hill, Wise said that Zohaib will read the proclamation issued by Mayor Bowser.

Zohaib, who was featured in the January issue of Scholastic magazine for his work with the homeless, also plans to distribute food donated by Wiseguy Pizza and socks donated by Bombas at Sunday's memorial. Members of Chalk Positive DC will also be at the memorial, designing art murals in honor of Hill.

Wise said the event will be an informal gathering, with people invited to share their thoughts about Hill or learn about her life.

"Over the years, many people would stop by what we lovingly call 'Angie’s Place' and offer support, resources, food and blankets. Angie refused their help because of the abuse she suffered and her declining mental health," Wise said in a news release about Sunday's event.

"But she left behind a legacy for the city, teaching us how to survive under circumstances that would have broken most of us," Wise said. "She lived under the bridge in rain, sleet and snow and overcame obstacles that defeated the human spirit, but Angie was a surviving spirit, and this is why the city will celebrate her and other unhoused friends."