Irene Height, who we consider both the Grande Dame of the civil-rights era and its unsung heroine.
Dr. Height, one of the last living links to the social activism of the New Deal era, was the first person in modern civil-rights era to recognize the problems of equality for women and equality for blacks as one in the same, and should be merged and treated as such.
Over the decades, she advised many American presidents on civil rights. “The American social landscape looks as it does today due to the efforts of Ms.Height. Efforts of pioneering civil rights activists, such as Dr. Height, paved the way for organizations such as FEW to organize and work for equality issues.
FEW was established in 1968 and is still working actively today for elimination of sexual discrimination of women in government. There is still much work to be done,” said Sue Webster, National President of FEW.
“I first met Dr. Height through my mother, who was active in the National Council of Negro Women under the leadership of both Mrs. Mary McCloud Bethune and Ms. Height. For seven decades, Dr. Height gave leadership and vision to the nation and to the world in her continuing struggle for the equality and justice for all human kind. Her life exemplifies her commitment to the struggle and was an example to us all to continue her work, her efforts. She inspired me to continue to carry the torch for justice and humane treatment.”
-Allie Latimer, FEW Founding President (1968-1969)
“I met Dorothy at a Blacks In Government Conference during my presidency and I was overwhelmed at the love and devotion that she showed to everyone she met, and to the love and respect people around her showed to her. She was a pillar of what diversity is all about and we will miss her leadership and her kindness to all people.”
-Jeanette Miller, FEW Past National President (1998-2000)
“I had the honor of sharing the stage with Dorothy Height at a Women's Equality Day event at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid in Baltimore, Maryland. It was an incredible honor to be in the company of a woman who has blazed the trail and meant so much to women and minorities in our work to ensure equal opportunity for all.”
-Patricia Wolfe, FEW Past National President, (2002-2006)
“While serving as FEW's National President, I met Dorothy at an event held at the National Council for Negro Women building on Pennsylvania Ave, in Washington, D.C. What an honor it was to meet her.”
-Rhonda Trent, FEW Past National President, (2006-2008)
A tireless fighter for nearly 80 years, she has earned her rest.
