Dorothy Irene Height: A Towering Figure in Civil Rights and Women’s Empowerment

Image Courtesy: Google Doodle

Dorothy Irene Height (24 March 1912 โ€“ 20 April 2010) was American civil rights and women’s rights activist who dedicated her life to fighting for equality and justice.

Life and Career

She was born on 24 March 1912 in Richmond, Virginia, and grew up in Pennsylvania. Height attended New York University and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education. In the 1930s, Height became involved with the National Youth Administration, which led to her involvement in civil rights work. She worked with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), and was appointed president of the NCNW in 1957.

Under Height’s leadership, the NCNW became a powerful force in the civil rights movement, advocating for voting rights, desegregation, and economic and educational opportunities for African Americans. Height also played a key role in organizing the March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Throughout her career, Height worked closely with other civil rights leaders, including King, A. Philip Randolph, and Whitney M. Young Jr. She also worked with several presidents, advising them on issues related to civil rights and women’s rights. Height was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

In addition to her civil rights work, Height was also an advocate for women’s rights. She worked to address issues such as unequal pay and access to education and job opportunities. She served as the national president of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, which played an active role in the women’s suffrage movement.

Height continued to work for social justice until her death on 20 April 2010 at the age of 98. She is remembered as a powerful advocate for equality and justice for all people, and her legacy continues to inspire activists today.

Award and Legacy

Dorothy Irene Height received numerous awards and honors throughout her life for her work in civil rights and women’s rights. Some of these awards include:

  • Presidential Medal of Freedom (1994)
  • Congressional Gold Medal (2004)
  • Spingarn Medal (1993)
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award (2000)
  • NAACP’s Roy Wilkins Award (1995)

Dorothy Irene Height’s legacy is still felt today, particularly in the areas of civil rights and women’s rights. She was a powerful voice for social justice, and her work helped to advance the cause of equality for all people. She inspired many others to get involved in activism, and her example continues to motivate people to work for a better world.

Height also played an important role in the history of the civil rights movement, working alongside other leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, and Whitney M. Young Jr. Her contributions to the movement have been recognized by historians and activists alike, and she is remembered as a key figure in the struggle for civil rights. Overall, Dorothy Irene Height’s legacy is one of courage, commitment, and advocacy for social justice. Her work continues to inspire and guide those who seek to build a more equitable and just society. On 24 March 2014, Google celebrated Dorothy Irene Height’s 102nd Birthday with a doodle.


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