Janet Hill Gordon, NHS Class of 1931. (Submitted photo)

The Norwich High School (NHS) Hall of Distinction Committee has selected the first six NHS alumni to be included in the Hall of Distinction.

Individuals selected have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields, including community services, the arts, medical professions, military service, and more, with their contributions having a distinctive impact on a local to global level.

Janet Hill Gordon: County attorney, assemblywoman, senator

by Harry Graves

Although she was born in Manhattan in January of 1915, Janet Hill claimed Norwich – or more appropriately, Chenango County – as her lifelong home. And while researchers today find her listing simply as “American lawyer and politician,” her impact on Central New York was far-reaching.

Ms. Hill grew up in a political family. Her father, James P. Hill, had opened a law office in Norwich in the early 1900s and rose through several elected positions until he became Chenango County Judge and Surrogate.

Judge Hill then advanced in state positions until he was the presiding Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, a position he held from 1933 to 1948. It’s not surprising that his bright daughter would continue in her father’s footsteps.

Young Janet Hill graced the halls of Norwich High School and is listed in the Class of 1931. The senior comments section of the yearbook calls her “The Most Modern Girl," referring to preference for stylish attire.

Ms. Hill went on to graduate from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Current Chenango County Historian Henry Drexler, himself a recognized artist, praises her life-long support of the arts.

She briefly worked for a major department store in New York City before returning to academia. She completed her legal studies at Brooklyn Law School in 1940, graduating magna cum laude. She was admitted to the bar the same year, becoming the youngest woman in New York to be admitted.

Like her father, she eventually established a law practice in Norwich. Along the way, she married William J. Gordon, himself a budding attorney. According to historian Drexler, their practice was housed above the Corner Cigar Store (later Garf’s) in downtown Norwich.

Professionally, Janet retained the Hill family name and became the personality known today as Janet Hill Gordon. A loyal Republican, what followed was an impressive career of “firsts” and accomplishments.

In 1944, she became the County Attorney for Chenango County, the first woman in New York to achieve such status.

Soon after, she ran for a seat in the New York State Assembly and won. Another first for a woman.

Interestingly, when she won reelection for a second term, she was again sworn in by her father. For Judge Hill, administering the oath of office to his daughter was his final official act before retirement.

During her time in the Assembly, she was a member of several committees and chaired the Legislative Committee on Matrimonial and Family Affairs, and the Law Revision Committee.

True to her rural Chenango County roots, she was a long-time member of the Plymouth Grange and the Chenango County Pomona Grange. In Albany, she was a member of the Temporary Commission on Agriculture and the Joint Legislative Committee on Milk Products, where she initiated legislation on a number of farming issues.

Janet Hill Gordon represented Chenango County in the Assembly until 1958. The following year, she moved to the NYS Senate, representing Chenango County in the 46th Senate District, yet another first for a woman.

And if that wasn’t enough, she was the first female legislator to give birth while in office. Born in 1950, daughter Gail was to be the only child of Judge and Mrs. Gordon.

In 1962, Janet Hill Gordon ran for the United States Congress, trying to unseat then freshman Representative Samuel S. Stratton. She lost. The very popular Sam Stratton would eventually hold that seat for thirty years.

During Mrs. Gordon’s rise, her husband was also advancing. In addition to their law practice, William J. Gordon eventually became the County Judge, Surrogate, and Family Court Judge for Chenango County.

Locals who remember Janet Hill Gordon still recall how caring and gracious she was. Angela Reed Moorhead told me, “Whenever we went to a party at their house, it was a very diverse crowd. There would be activities for Gail and our friends while our parents experienced a mixture of Norwich people and visiting governmental dignitaries. But there were always local people there. Mrs. Gordon was so very generous.”

Both Judge and Mrs. Gordon have passed now. Both are buried in Norwich’s Mount Hope Cemetery, their graves marked with modest markers.

The Gordons for many years made their home in the country on a seldom-used road near Chenango Lake. It provided a magnificent view of the quiet rural landscape and had enough acreage for them to keep their beloved horses.

I grew up on a working-farm a couple miles from the lake. On more than one occasion, I’d return home from after-school activities to find a horse and carriage in our driveway. Judge and Mrs. Gordon were enjoying another quiet afternoon outing and had stopped to visit my parents.

Janet Hill Gordon, being the astute politician she was, took every opportunity to communicate with – and to listen to – her constituents.

The NHS Hall of Distinction Committee aims to recognize and commemorate alumni of Norwich high schools who have made outstanding in the areas of, but not limited to, profession, community service, commerce, religion, and art. This Hall of Distinction established in 2024 is intended to serve as a vision and source of pride for our community and student body.

To nominate an NHS alum for the Hall of Distinction, complete the nomination form found at norwichcsd.org/documents/district/211781 and submit to NCSD Event Coordinator Rich Turnbull at rturnbull@norwichcsd.org, or dropped off at the District Office at 89 Midland Drive in Norwich no later than May 1, 2025.