Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H. Res 1281, Honoring the life and achievements of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. I would also like to commend Representative Fudge, the sponsor of this resolution, for her commitment to preserving the accomplishments of Dr. Height. Madam Speaker, as a life-long crusader for women's rights, civil rights, racial justice and gender equality, the legacy of Dr. Height's efforts can be seen in many facets of American life, from school integration to voting rights, and fair labor standards. Born in Richmond, VA in 1912, Dr. Height, the valedictorian of her high school class, soon encountered the first of many obstacles to equality that she would face, after being denied entrance to Barnard College due to discriminatory admissions practices. She later went on to graduate from New York University in 1932 and earned a masters degree in educational psychology the following year. Inspired by the efforts of Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and Mary McLeod Bethune, the president of the Harlem YWCA, she took as job on the staff of the YWCA in 1944, where she remained until 1975. From her position on the YWCA staff, Dr. Height was instrumental in providing leadership training and education, eventually organizing and directing the YWCA's Center for Racial Justice. In 1957, Dr. Height was named the fourth president of the National Council of Negro Women, a position she maintained through the height of the civil rights movement.…”