Carol Hill, respected author of Rays of Hope, has received tremendous praise for her compelling book featuring her aunt, Agnes May Robinson and the Sunshine League which came out last fall.

"The Sunshine League workers were pioneers who blazed the trail in the awakening of the social conscience of Bermuda,'' according to Rt. Rev. Heber Browne who presided over the Sunshine Leagues 25th Annual General Meeting.

Miss Hill found all sorts of archive information through her aunt's papers and memoirs in the 1970s as she began cleaning out `Wantley' the Robinson Family's ancestral home in Hamilton.

"I sat on the floor hours and hours sorting and reading numerous fascinating, historical documents. I ran across the first meeting held by the Berkeley Educational Society where they formulated plans to establish Berkeley.

"I realised I had a book! I threw all the papers in a trash bag and brought them to my Roxdene Apartment. It took me several years to sort out the papers into dates, as many of the letters were not dated.'' She became a frequent visitor to the Bermuda Archives and the library.

Fortunately her senior relatives were meticulous about saving news clippings and had a 100 years worth of material tucked away neatly in drawers.

When asked what gave her the most satisfaction out of the book she said: "Achieving an understanding of my Aunt Agnes May Robinson. She became a recluse when I was a young girl. I knew her as someone who never left the house. I was utterly amazed!'' Aunt Agnes founded The Sunshine League, Bermuda's first locally organised social-welfare society established January 28, 1919. She and Mrs. Etta Jones, the League's first Social Officer visited homes where they often found appalling conditions.

During the first decade of the Sunshine League these, and other caring women, helped homeless children, ministered to the sick, collected food and clothing for families in urgent need and raised money for their mission fund.

The author weaves a vivid and interesting depiction of the early years (1919 to 1944) of Bermuda's first locally established social service organisation of which her aunt was the president and founder.

The book, totaling 404 glossy pages, was produced by The Writers' Machine with the help of Dale Butler. Miss Hill's sister-in-law, Georgine Hill, designed the book's beautiful jacket in colours of white and gold.

Beautifully written, clearly and concisely, it offers a handsome layout with 110 illustrations.

Miss Hill said the publication was an expensive venture and that all net proceeds go to the Sunshine League. She advised that The Bank of Bermuda's Centennial Trust has donated $5000 and that the Sunshine League was extremely grateful.

"I wish other organisations, foundations, or trusts would donate funds as well.'' Through the years Miss Hill has been involved with community life and was among those honoured by the Anti-Apartheid Coalition in 1988 for spearheading universal voting rights in Bermuda.

In 1989 when she was awarded the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour `in recognition of valuable service during a career of over 36 years in education.' In 1999 she was one of the recipients of the Bermuda Arts Council's Lifetime Achievement Awards for extensive service in the theatre arts.

This valuable book is available in many stores throughout Bermuda and costs $50. It is a must for anyone interested in Bermuda's social history during the last century. You will learn all sorts of interesting facts such as how the Sunshine League began tag days on the Island.

In the words of the talented author: "It tells the story of the first 25 years of the Sunshine League and of the conscientious women from various parts of the Island who saw a dire need and did something about it - in spite of what seemed, at times, impossible odds.' Respected teacher, author and historian: Carol D. Hill, writes a true story based on the life of her aunt, Agnes May Robinson, founder of Bermuda's Sunshine League. All net proceeds go to the Sunshine League who have provided community services to the less fortunate for 82 years.