Amanda Gray Hilyer

Biography

Amanda Gray Hilyer was a trailblazing pharmacist whose compassion for the citizens of Washington, D.C., guided a career spent improving access to health care and goods during the early decades of the 20th century. After completing her studies in pharmacy, she opened a neighborhood drugstore that became a trusted resource for families seeking remedies and reassurance.

Hilyer also devoted herself to civic leadership, helping to organize clubs and forums that uplifted Black women entrepreneurs and community activists. Her legacy remained in the thriving associations she nurtured and in a philosophy of service that inspired many to pursue professional lives imbued with care for others.