During the 1960’s African American and Women’s rights were starting to make headlines. One of these activists was Dorothy Height. She was the President of the National Council of Negro Women. She was their president for 40 years. She was a well known activist and had a good reputation.

Dorothy was born in Richmond Virginia, March 24, 1912. One of her accomplishments was she went to New York University and earned a Masters degree in educational psychology. She started working as a caseworker at the New York City Welfare Department. When she was 25, she began a career as a Civil Rights activist.

Dorothy fought for rights of African Americans and women’s rights. In 1963 she was one of the organizers of “The Famed March”, the March on Washington. She stood very close to Martin Luther king Jr. when he was giving his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. I addition one of her major accomplishments at the YWCA was she directed the integration of all its centers. She was also a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She was also their president from 1946 to 1957. Also she organized “Wednesdays in Mississippi”. “Wednesdays in Mississippi” were when white and black women got together to talk about their rights. She was also part founder of The Council for United Civil Rights Leadership. She had a long and successful career and tried to make the world a better place.

Dorothy died April 20th, 2010. She died at the age of 98, in Washington D.C. She will always be remembered for her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. She influenced many people, and spread the unheard word of rights for African American people and women’s rights.