Civil Rights icon Dr. Dorothy Height passed away early Tuesday morning, April 20, at the age of 98. Height died of natural causes, according to a spokesperson from Howard University Hospital.
Height served as the President of the National Council of Negro Women for four decades, stepping down from the position in 1997. She was considered one of the founding members of the Civil Rights movement. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. In 2004, she was also the recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
Height fought for equal rights for both women and blacks, and was active in such causes as securing voting rights, equal employment opportunities and the desegregation of public schools.
Height marched with Dr, Martin Luther King Jr., and spoke out for women’s rights during the Civil Rights struggle. She was instrumental in the fight for equal pay for women and organized numerous programs designed to help women achieve equal rights and independence. During her years as President of the National Council of Negro Women, Height was dedicated to issues that affected women, including child care for working mothers, health and nutrition and providing adequate housing for families in need. Read the full story here
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