DISTRICT'S YWCA CENTENNIALS GIVE CAUSE TO TRIBUTE TIRELESS LEADER
Dr. Dorothy I. Height Recognized for Contributions to YWCA Movement

Washington, D.C. - Civil and women's rights activist Dr. Dorothy Irene Height turns 93 on March 24th and the celebration is about to begin. That's because the YWCA National Capital Area and the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA will tribute her lifetime commitment to race relations, women's rights, and social justice Friday, March 11th at the Bank of America headquarters during a special Women's History Month reception in her honor. Guests will include many who are part of the notable leader's District of Columbia history, and WJLA-TV News Anchor Maureen Bunyan emcees.

Dr. Height's contributions have no boundaries. Leading the growth and development of three major women's organizations: the YWCA, the National Council of Negro Women, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority were no small feats. Nor was authoring Open Wide the Freedom Gates, published in 2003. Says Bill Cosby, "The book shows how Dorothy Height got some extremely important things done by staying out of the limelight."

She did it all, and always with a quiet dignity and a fervent desire to improve conditions for the powerless, with help from the powerful. Board presidents Patricia Brooks, YWCA National Capital Area, and Dorothy Patton, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA, will highlight Dr. Height's contributions to the movement, particularly when hired as executive director of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA in 1939, where, among other concerns, she addressed the needs of African American women in the armed services.

2005 marks the 100th anniversary of both the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and the YWCA National Capital Area. Says, Orysia Stanchak, the latter's executive director, "As we celebrate our 100th year, Dr. Height's contributions toward economic, social, and political empowerment for women are timeless. What she gave, from her earliest days to now, has opened countless doors for women of all races and their families."