On the recordApril 21, 2010
I thank the chairman for yielding and for giving us this opportunity to honor the life, legacy, and contributions of the godmother of the civil rights movement and a champion of social justice, Dr. Dorothy Height. Her loss is felt by all of us who knew her, respected her, and followed in her footsteps; but it is also felt by people who may never know her name, but for whom she worked, for whom she led, and for whom she made a difference. The Nation mourns the passing of this giant of American history; and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and the loved ones of this extraordinary woman. Men and women of every race and faith are heirs to the work, passion, and legacy of Dorothy Height. From her earliest days as an activist, she fought for equality under the law for every American, recognizing that the battle for civil rights extended to African American women and anyone denied the chance to succeed because of who they are. For four decades, she stood at the helm of the National Council of Negro Women, continuing the struggle for an America that lived up to the ideals of liberty and opportunity for all. In every fight, Dorothy Height turned the tides of history toward progress. Because of what she achieved, schools are no longer separate and unequal, and the voting booth is open to all striving to participate in our democracy.
