On August 28th1963Dr. Dorothy Height took a seat on the speaker stage at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. She was surrounded by most of the famous civil rights activists. Althoughshe was not scheduled to give remarksHeight had rightfully gained her place among these prominent leaders.

Dorothy Irene Height was born on March 24^th1912 in RichmondVirginia. Her family later moved to RankinPennsylvania where she excelled as a student. Height eventually received a scholarship to attend college. In 1929she was admitted to Barnard College but was not allowed to attend because the school did not admit African Americans. InsteadHeight went on to graduate from New York University where she received a bachelor’s in education and master’s in psychology. Her first job was as a social worker in HarlemNew York. She later joined the staff of the Harlem Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). In no timeHeight became a leader in the local organization. She created diverse programs and pushed the organization to integrate YWCA facilities nationwide.

During a chance encounter with African American leader Mary McLeod BethuneHeight was inspired to begin working with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). Through the NCNWHeight focused on ending the lynching of African Americans and restructuring the criminal justice system. In 1957she became the fourth president of the NCNW. Under her leadershipthe NCNW supported voter registration in the South. The NCNW also financially aided several civil rights activists throughout the country. Height was president of NCNW for 40 years.

Height’s prominence in the Civil Rights Movement and unmatched knowledge in organizingmeant she was regularly called to give advice on political issues. Eleanor RooseveltDwight D. Eisenhowerand Lyndon B. Johnson often sought her counsel. In 1963Heightalong with other civil rights activists organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Although she played a role in the marchshe was not invited to speak. In factoriginally no women were included on the program at all. Height and Anna Arnold Hedgeman persuaded the other organizers to allow a woman to speak. Despite the apparent gender discrimination in the Civil Rights MovementHeight continued working on the front lines.

In addition to her work in the United StatesHeight traveled extensively. She served as a visiting professor at the University of DelhiIndia and with the Black Women’s Federation of South Africa. For all her efforts during the Civil Rights MovementHeight was awarded and recognized by many organizations. In 1989she received the Citizens Medal Award from President Ronald Reagan and in 2004Height was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. The same yearHeight was inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame International. She also received an estimated 24 honorary degrees. On April 20^th2010Height passed away at the age of 98. Her funeral was held at Washington National Cathedral.