Black History: Special Delivery!!

“If the time is not ripe, we have to ripen the time.”

-Dorothy Height

This quote powerfully speaks to the life and legacy of Dorothy Height.

Dorothy Height (1921-2010) was a commanding leader of the civil rights movement. She was a strong advocate for women’s right; particularly African American women. She is perhaps best known for her leadership of The National Council of Negro Women. She led this organization for 40 years. Height is also known for her work with “Wednesdays In Mississippi” which created opportunities for black and white women from the north and south to increase dialog and collaboration. Height also was employed by the the YWCA and was instrumental in helping the organization’s integration efforts.

Born in Richmond, VA, Height was raised in Rankin, PA. She received a $1,000 scholarship from The Elks, an African American social and benevolent organization, which helped her pursue a college education in the field of social work. Height was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and served as its national president from 1947-1956.

Height never married and had no children. She died at the age of 98.

Sources:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/social-sciences-and-law/social-reformers/dorothy-i-height

http://www.blackpast.org/aah/height-dorothy-irene-1912

https://www.google.com/amp/www.latimes.com/local/la-me-dorothy-height-20100420-story,amp.html