Kendrick Meek: “this Congress owes a tribute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) for having the foresight of…”

“this Congress owes a tribute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald) for having the foresight of introducing this legislation regarding Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. I am pleased and privileged to be here today. I have known Ms. Dorothy Height for 50 years as she started out in a college where I taught many years ago, Bethune Cookman College. She was a colleague and a friend of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, so it is with privilege and honor that I stand here today to pay tribute to Dr. Height. It is very hard to describe Dr. Height because she is a phenomenal woman. It is very hard to even describe a superlative for Dr. Height. She is an academic. She is a scholar. She is a social worker. She is a giver for everyone. Dr. Height was a mainstream black woman who did things for everybody, not only black America but white America as well, and particularly for women. She reached out through her work with the YWCA and through her work with the National Council of Negro Women. During those days, it was sort of a courageous stand to be a member of the National Council of Negro Women. She has been a leader in the struggle for equality and civil rights and human rights for everyone. Her life exemplifies her passionate commitment to a just society and a vision for a better world. Dr. Height was more than words. She was a woman of action. She is known all over the world for her extensive international and developmental education work.”