House, Senate Honor Dr. Dorothy Height

On April 21, the House passed, by voice vote, a resolution (H. Res. 1281) honoring Dr. Dorothy Height, who passed away this week at the age of 98. The Senate passed a similar resolution (S. Res. 492), sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), by unanimous consent on April 20.

Sponsored by Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH), the resolution contains several findings, including:

• Dr. Dorothy Irene Height was a humanitarian whose life exemplified her passionate commitment to a just society and civil rights for all people;
• She was the godmother of the civil rights movement and tireless advocate of equality for women and women’s rights in the United States;
• Dr. Height led many national organizations, including 33 years of service on the staff of the National Board of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), and director of the National YWCA School for Professional Workers. She became the first director of the Center for Racial Justice, served as president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) for four decades, and continued to provide guidance as chair and president emerita of NCNW until her death;
• Dr. Height was the recipient of countless awards and honors, including the Presidential Citizens Medal, presented by President Ronald Reagan in 1989, the Presidential Medal of Honor, presented by President William Clinton in 1994, and the Congressional Medal of Honor, presented by President George W. Bush on behalf of the United States Congress in 2004; and
• She was a tenacious and zealous civil rights activist, social worker, advocate, educator, and organizer in the quest for equality.

The resolution “celebrates the life of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, and expresses recognition for her life-long dedication and leadership in the struggle for civil rights for all people.”