Eugenics victims get second state payment

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Victims of North Carolina’s forced sterilization program decades ago have received a second payment from the state as compensation.

The $15,000 payout is on top of the first payment of $20,000 eugenics victims received in October 2014.

Elnora Mills, a eugenics victim who lives in Brunswick County, tells WWAY she got the second check she’s long been waiting for.

“This second check represents the next step in making amends for one of the darkest chapters in our history,” Gov. Pat McCrory said in a news release. “No amount of money can undo the harm that occurred, but it is my hope that this compensation will give victims some measure of solace, comfort and vindication.”

Each qualified victim is expected to receive a total payment of approximately $50,000 as earmarked in the 2013 state budget.

According to the governor’s office, approximately 213 victims have qualified for compensation under the Eugenics Compensation Program. The program included a $10 million appropriation to be divided equally among qualified victims. These funds were contained in the 2013-2014 state budget and additional legislation passed in 2014 and 2015 advanced the timeline for the first two disbursements.