My thoughts on Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, Grande Dame of the Civil Rights Movement

What a blessing it is to have had the opportunity to get to know the matriarch of the civil rights movement, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height who passed away earlier this week. Under most circumstances the death of a 98 year-old may be sad, but it's not shocking. However, even at 98-years-old Dr. Height was everywhere. She went to work in the day, she was on various conference calls giving direction on all types of issues in the evening, and even made it to the parties and had a few of her own. You always got the feeling that she would always be around. She was just at a press conference I coordinated at the US Capitol last month - and I assure you navigating through the Capitol is not easy, especially in a wheelchair.

In 2000 I was in a crowded field in South Africa running around trying to pull the US Delegation to the UN World Conference together to lead a march of over 100,000 people. It was quite hectic. I glanced at the entrance of the field and there was Dr. Height rolling up in her wheelchair.

I feel blessed that I was able to spend Election night 2008 when the first black president was elected, and Inauguration night with the legendary leader. Dr. Height was a database of quotes from leaders ranging from President Roosevelt to Mary McCloud Bethune. She was classy, charming, brilliant, and had a great sense of humor. Dr. Height will be greatly missed.

A few minutes after President Obama was elected president Dr. Height wiped the tears from her eyes and had some wise words for the crowd gathered at the NCNW headquarters – once a holding space for slaves – for an election watch party.