Dorothy Height was an activist for Civil Rights and women’s rights. She was better known as the queen mother of the Civil Rights Movement. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave the “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington in 1963, Dorothy Height was the only woman invited onto the platform. Then, 46 years later, when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States, again Dorothy Height would be seated on the platform, symbolizing the progress made due to the efforts and sacrifices made by her and many, many others. Dorothy spent 33 years on the national board of the YMCA. She also spent 40 years as a leader in the National Council of Negro Women. Height was a huge advocate for church unity because she believed that persons of faith can be strong advocates for justice and human rights. From 1934 to 1937, Height worked in the New York City Department of Welfare. Height met Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt at a meeting of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) held at the YWCA. She remained friends with Eleanor Roosevelt. She credits Mary McLeod Bethune for inspiring her for the calling on her life to serve the people and fight for justice. Height received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1994.
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Church Affiliation:St. Mark's United Methodist Church
Role in the Movement:Dorothy Height was an activist for Civil Rights and women’s rights.
Birth Place:Richmond, VA
Born Date:March 24, 1912
Deceased Date:April 20, 2010
Place Lived as Adult:New York
Church Location:New York, NY