Home Pop Culture The Legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height

Washington, D.C.

April 30, 2010

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was remembered yesterday during a heartfelt memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral. The 98 year old Womens and Civil Rights Activist was eulogized by President Barack Obama and was remembered as a woman with a “Quiet Dignified Persistence” as he also referred to her as the “God Mother of Civil Rights. The President had fond memories of Dr. Height as he joked of her visiting the White House 21 times during his tenure alone, just to see if he was taking care of business. Speaking of business, Height (known for her extravagant hats and love of the NY Yankees & Washington Redskins)  just finished her latest book “Living With Purpose” only two months ago.

Well over 1,300 dignitaries and notable people attended the memorial service, such as: Susan Taylor (Essence Magazine), Nia Long (Actress), Bill Gates (Microsoft Founder), Donna Brazile (CNN Corespondent), Charles Rangel (D, NY), Steve Harvey (Morning Show Host), Mo’Nique (Academy Award Winning Actress) and Reverend Jesse Jackson. Gospel Star, BeBe Winans sang a touching musical tribute which included the songs “We are climbing Jacob’s Ladder” and the hit song “Stand”, made famous by Donnie McClurkin. Harpist, Jeff Majors and Singer, Al Johnson also did a riveting performance of The 23rd Psalm. Washington D.C. native and Opera Singer- Denyce Graves sang a beautiful rendition of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”. Dr. Camille Cosby gave an emotional testimony of  her friendship with Dr. Dorothy Height and spoke of how she inspired more than three generations. While Dr. Maya Angelou read a poem that she had written in honor of Dr. Height.

Dorothy Height was a native of Richmond,Virginia who eventually came North with her family during the “Great Migration”. In 1929, Height was accepted to Barnard College but upon arrival, she was denied entrance because of a “policy” that only accepted two black students per year. She decided to pursue her studies at New York University and ultimately received a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology. Although Mary McLeod Bethune was the founder of  NCNW (National Council of Negro Women), Dr. Dorothy Height became the face of the organization and in 2002, in honor of Height’s ninetieth birthday, a gathering of friends that included TV star Oprah Winfrey, boxing promoter Don King, author Maya Angelou, the Reverend Al Sharpton, and former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Barry pledged $5 million to pay off the mortgage of the NCNW building on Washington’s Pennsylvania Avenue. Height had been struggling for years to pay off the debt. Height also served as National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority from 1946 to 1957 and remained active until her last days. Dr. Dorothy Height was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal (the highest civilian and most distinguished award presented by the United States Congress) presented by President George W. Bush in 2004 on her 92nd birthday.

Dorothy Height is one of the unsung heroes of  our society and lived a full life of purpose. Let us all honor her legacy by doing the same…

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