Civil Rights Icon Dorothy Height Dies at 98

Source: nbcwashington.com


Dorothy Height, an icon of the Civil Rights Movement and a longtime leader in the pursuit of equal rights for women, has died at the age of 98.
Height, who had been in the intensive care unit at Howard University Hospital since March 18, passed away at 3:41 a.m., according to a hospital official. No cause of death was immediately available.
Height has been a part of many of the nation's historic civil rights events. She stood beside Dr. Martin Luther King at the Lincoln Memorial as he gave his famous "I have a dream" speech. She had said she had directly known every American president since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. And she was on the stage in Washington for President Barack Obama's inauguration.
"I never thought I would live to see this," Height told the New York Times in regards to the inauguration of a black president. "This is real recognition that civil rights was not just what Dr. King dreamed. But it took a lot of people a lot of work to make this happen, and they feel part of it."

Read more: http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Civil-Rights-Icon-Dorothy-Height-Dies-at-98-91581204.html

Two great civil rights leaders have passed within a week. But at least she and Dr. Hooks got to see the fruits of her labor now sitting in the White House.

God bless Ms. Height and R.I.P. gentle lady. I know she was bone tired at age 98 but hopefully at peace now. O8)

Not only to have seen the great changes that have taken place in this country over the past century, but to have been such a part of those changes.

Bless you for showing courage and grace when we needed it most.

Here's an image of Michelle Obama greeting Dorothy Height at a health reform event last Fall.

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Michelle+Obama+Makes+Remarks+Health+Insurance+HF_iyOD7X3El.jpg

Here are some links for those unfamiliar with the true scope of Dorothy Height's life's work.

http://www.ncnw.org/about/height.htm
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/civilrights/p/dorothy_height.htm
http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/biography.asp?bioindex=546
http://www.omega-baa.org/calendar/height.html
http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/2004/height.html
http://www.visionaryproject.org/heightdorothy/

She was an amazing woman who led an amazing life of service to us all.

What a life well-lived!

A powerful and elegant lady ~ RIP :cry:

chance to meet such a true hero! I am very jealous! :cry::hi::cry:

What a woman.

Thanks for posting.

nt

RIP