Gertrude Weil (December 11, 1879 – May 3, 1971) was an American social activist involved in a wide range of progressive/leftist and often controversial causes, including women's suffrage, labor reform and civil rights.

[4] Weil was raised in Goldsboro, North Carolina, in a home located at 200 Chestnut Street, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

[12] During this time at the Horace Mann School Weil began writing letters home to her family, or as she titled them, her "dear ones" relaying her experiences in New York.

"[10] Despite consistent physical activity throughout her life, Weil had the disability of a curvature of her spine, which was diagnosed during her time at the Horace Mann School.

[16] After graduation from Smith College, Weil was faced with the decision of whether to find a job in teaching, as some of her classmates did, or to return home.

[14] Using her local experience, Weil became involved in the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs which had been founded in 1902 by Sally Southall Cotten.

"[13] Weil studied at the University of Cornell for multiple summers, becoming educated in topics such as history, government, Shakespeare, and politics.

[14] In 1911 Weil joined the National American Woman Suffrage Association which sought a federal policy change allowing women the right to vote.

[14] Also during 1914, Weil was elected as first vice-president of the North Carolina Federation of Women's Clubs and received the nomination for president from the same organization.

[20] This event, in 1922, sparked the editor of the Raleigh Times to mention Weil's name as a possible candidate for the United States Congress.

However, since the rumor persists in recurring in the columns of the press, perhaps it is well that I state definitely that I am not considering—nor have I ever considered—running for Congress on the Republican, Democratic, Farm-Labor, Socialist, Independent, or any other ticket.

"[21] Throughout the 1920s Weil continued her work in encouraging women to vote, visiting communities, giving speeches, and financially supporting the clubs she was involved in.

[22] Leading into the Great Depression Weil was president of the Goldsboro Bureau of Social Service and chair of the Decisions Committee.

Weil's hometown of Goldsboro, North Carolina, had been the location of a Civil War battle due to its proximity to a railroad junction.

[27] Weil's dedication to social justice and equality led her to, in 1930 travel to Atlanta to attend the Anti-Lynching Conference for Southern White Women.

[26][13] Weil and her fellow activists in these groups challenged the idea that white southern women needed to be protected from black men through frequent lynchings.

[18] Involved in the commission, Weil sought to improve legal, economic, political, and educational equality for black Americans.

[18]  On March 14, 1965, Weil described segregation as "separate but by no means equal," illustrating her long dedication to civil rights.

Weil was involved in teaching Sunday School, conducting adult Bible studies, and working with the Temple Sisterhood.

[30] Sarah Weil's goal was to unite Jewish women in North Carolina, regardless of background welcoming both orthodox and reform members.

[33] In the late 1960s, Weil wrote an essay in which she criticized those who believed religious individuals should confine themselves to ""matters" of religion, that is theology, church creed, church attendance, the prospect of heaven or hell" and she continued with her own belief that, "In my definition, religion includes the whole of life: one's beliefs, one's attitudes to society, one's behavior .

"[34]  Within the same essay, Weil demonstrated her opinion that Judaism called for morality in all areas of an individual's life, stating, "My religion demands the same honesty, fairness, reliability, in all one's relations.

"[34] Weil's emphasis on moral and ethical behavior being a part of her religious identity was prominent throughout her life with her social service.

She donated several thousand dollars to the Herman Weil Memorial Fund and the Medical School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

[38] According to the Jewish Women's Archive, Weil was: "Inspired by Jewish teachings that 'justice, mercy, [and] goodness were not to be held in a vacuum, but practiced in our daily lives,' Weil stood courageously at the forefront of a wide range of progressive and often controversial causes, including women's suffrage, labor reform and civil rights.