Dorothy Height

Hello, my name is Dorothy Height, and I'd like to tell you my story. I was born on March 24th, 1912, in Richmond, Virginia, but my family and I moved to a small town in Pennsylvania where I grew up. Even as a girl, I loved going to school and was never afraid to speak up for what I believed was right. I was a dedicated student, and my hard work paid off when I won a national public speaking scholarship! This scholarship was my ticket to college. In 1929, I was so excited to move to New York City to attend Barnard College. I had packed my bags and was ready for a new adventure. But when I arrived, the college told me I couldn't enroll. They had a rule that they only allowed two Black students each year, and they said those spots were already filled. I was heartbroken, and it felt so unfair. That moment didn't stop me, though. Instead, it lit a fire inside of me, making me determined to spend my life fighting for fairness and equality for everyone.

Instead of giving up on my dream of a college education, I quickly found another school, New York University, that welcomed me. I studied hard and was proud to earn not just one, but two degrees by the year 1933! After finishing my education, I began my career as a social worker. I worked in a famous neighborhood in New York City called Harlem, where I helped families who needed support. A few years later, in 1937, I had a meeting that would change the course of my life forever. I met the amazing Mary McLeod Bethune. She was an incredible leader who had founded an organization called the National Council of Negro Women, or the NCNW, to support and empower African American women. She saw something special in me and became my mentor. She inspired me to dedicate my life to fighting for the rights of African American women. Following her example, I also joined an organization called the YWCA in 1944. My job there was very important: I worked to integrate their centers. This meant I helped make sure that Black and white women could use the same facilities and be treated as equals, without any separation.

In 1957, I was deeply honored to be elected president of the National Council of Negro Women. This was the same group that my hero and mentor, Mary McLeod Bethune, had started. I would proudly lead the NCNW for the next forty years, working to make life better for women across the country. During this time, the Civil Rights Movement was growing stronger, and I found myself working right alongside famous leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We would meet to plan important strategies and events to fight for justice. I was often the only woman in the room during these high-level meetings, which is why some people started calling me the 'godmother of the civil rights movement.' One of the biggest events I helped plan was the March on Washington in 1963. That was the day Dr. King gave his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech to a huge crowd. But even though I was one of the main organizers of that historic day, something felt wrong. No women were invited to give a major speech. That experience reminded me that our fight was not just for civil rights for African Americans, but for women's rights, too. I knew I had to work to make sure that everyone's voice, no matter their race or gender, was heard and respected.

I spent my entire life working for justice and equality for all people. It was long and difficult work, but it was the most important thing I could do. For my many years of service, I was grateful to receive some of the country's highest awards. In 1994, I was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and then in 2004, I received the Congressional Gold Medal. I continued to speak out and fight for a better, fairer world until the very end of my life. I lived to be 98 years old. Today, I hope you remember me as someone who used her voice to speak for those who were not being heard. My story shows that no matter what obstacles you face, you can make a big difference in the world if you never, ever give up.