Remembering Dorothy Height

BET.com remembers civil rights icon Dorothy Height. See photos.

Passing of an Icon - The nation lost a civil rights icon, April 20, with the death of Dorothy Irene Height. She was 98. Born in 1912 in Richmond, Va. and raised in Pennsylvania, Height was admitted into Barnard College in 1929 but was turned away because the school wouldn't allow more than two Black women. She ended up going to New York University instead and earning a bachelor’s degree in 1932 and a master’s the next year.

1 / 11

Passing of an Icon - The nation lost a civil rights icon, April 20, with the death of Dorothy Irene Height. She was 98. Born in 1912 in Richmond, Va. and raised in Pennsylvania, Height was admitted into Barnard College in 1929 but was turned away because the school wouldn't allow more than two Black women. She ended up going to New York University instead and earning a bachelor’s degree in 1932 and a master’s the next year.

Early Career - In 1937, while working at the Harlem YWCA, she met famed educator Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who came to speak at one of the organization’s meetings. She joined the organization the same year, thus starting her career in the civil rights movement, fighting for equality for both Blacks and women.

2 / 11

Early Career - In 1937, while working at the Harlem YWCA, she met famed educator Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of the National Council of Negro Women and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt who came to speak at one of the organization’s meetings. She joined the organization the same year, thus starting her career in the civil rights movement, fighting for equality for both Blacks and women.

Leadership - In 1944 she joined the national staff of the YWCA and from 1946 to 1957 she served as the National President of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated. She remained an active member of the sorority throughout her life.

3 / 11

Leadership - In 1944 she joined the national staff of the YWCA and from 1946 to 1957 she served as the National President of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated. She remained an active member of the sorority throughout her life.

National Council of Negro Women - In 1957, Height was named president of the National Council of Negro Women. She held the position for 40 years. "I hope not to work this hard all the rest of my life," she said when she left her post in 1997. "But whether it is the council, whether it is somewhere else, for the rest of my life, I will be working for equality, for justice, to eliminate racism, to build a better life for our families and our children."

4 / 11

National Council of Negro Women - In 1957, Height was named president of the National Council of Negro Women. She held the position for 40 years. "I hope not to work this hard all the rest of my life," she said when she left her post in 1997. "But whether it is the council, whether it is somewhere else, for the rest of my life, I will be working for equality, for justice, to eliminate racism, to build a better life for our families and our children."

Next to King - Height was just a few feet from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963. “He spoke longer than he was supposed to speak,” Height recalled in an Associated Press interview. But she knew the speech would have lasting effects for generations to come because “it gripped everybody.”

5 / 11

Next to King - Height was just a few feet from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963. “He spoke longer than he was supposed to speak,” Height recalled in an Associated Press interview. But she knew the speech would have lasting effects for generations to come because “it gripped everybody.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Voice for Black Women - Often considered one of the few female voices of the civil rights movement, Height often stood up for the rights of Black women on the government level. She served as a consultant on African affairs to the Secretary of State, the President’s Committee on the Employment of Handicapped and the President’s Committee on the Status of Women. In addition, she encouraged President Eisenhower to desegregate schools and President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint African American women to government.

6 / 11

Voice for Black Women - Often considered one of the few female voices of the civil rights movement, Height often stood up for the rights of Black women on the government level. She served as a consultant on African affairs to the Secretary of State, the President’s Committee on the Employment of Handicapped and the President’s Committee on the Status of Women. In addition, she encouraged President Eisenhower to desegregate schools and President Lyndon B. Johnson to appoint African American women to government.

Medal of Freedom - In 1994, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton for her work as a civil rights activist.

7 / 11

Medal of Freedom - In 1994, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton for her work as a civil rights activist.

More Honors - And 10 years later, in 2004, she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

8 / 11

More Honors - And 10 years later, in 2004, she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Honors from Barnard - Also in 2004, she was recognized as honorary alumna by the school that had initially turned her away as a youth, Barnard College. She received the honor during its commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

9 / 11

Honors from Barnard - Also in 2004, she was recognized as honorary alumna by the school that had initially turned her away as a youth, Barnard College. She received the honor during its commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Brought to the Stage - In 2005, a musical based on her memoirs, “Open Wide the Freedom Gates” debuted. The project showcased her perspective on the civil rights movement as well as an insider’s point of view on her mentors Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt.

10 / 11

Brought to the Stage - In 2005, a musical based on her memoirs, “Open Wide the Freedom Gates” debuted. The project showcased her perspective on the civil rights movement as well as an insider’s point of view on her mentors Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt.

"Ripen the Time" - Once called the queen of the civil rights movement by late activist C. DeLores Tucker, her entire life was dedicated to breaking down barriers to fight for a cause. One of her favorite sayings was, “"If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time."

11 / 11

"Ripen the Time" - Once called the queen of the civil rights movement by late activist C. DeLores Tucker, her entire life was dedicated to breaking down barriers to fight for a cause. One of her favorite sayings was, “"If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time."