The Late Dorothy Height to be Saluted at Coppin State on Sunday
BALTIMORE 4/20/10 – Civil rights and social justice icon Dr. Dorothy I. Height will be honored at Coppin State University (CSU) April 25, 2010 in a salute campus officials are calling the university’s “seminal event of the year.” Dorothy Height, who passed away this morning at age 98, was the longtime president for the National Council of Negro Women and a prominent figure of the civil rights movement. Cicely Tyson, a luminary and longtime friend of Dr. Height, will help CSU, the community, and several honorary chairs including the Honorable John Lewis and Congressman Elijah Cummings pay tribute to Dr. Height for her lifelong dedication and unending fight for social change.
The “Hats On For Dorothy I. Height Recognition Program” will be held in Coppin’s new Physical Education Complex (PEC) on the corner of Warwick and Gwynns Falls Avenues from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Prior to her death, Dr. Height was insistent that the event go on.
“It is with mixed emotions of sadness, joy, hope, and prosperity that I announce the passing of noted civil rights icon, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height,” said Coppin State President Reginald S. Avery. “Throughout her life, Dr. Height was instrumental in advancing civil rights, equality, and justice for all people. She has left important footprints for all of us to follow as we continue in our journey towards the advancement of civil rights. She will always remain as an important role model for all of us.”
Even as Dr. Height worked tirelessly – nationally and internationally – and made the world a better place, Dr. Avery noted, “Dr. Height has remained a true friend and supporter of Coppin State University.”
Coppin has established two major tributes in Dr. Heights’ honor in the School of Professional Studies’ Department of Social Work – The Dorothy I. Height Endowed Chair and Lectureship in Social Work and Social Justice and The Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice.
Honorary Chairs for the “Hats On for Dorothy I. Height” event include Anthony Brown, Maryland Lieutenant Governor; Mr. Eric Chinje, Manager of External Affairs for the Africa Region, The World Bank; Maryland Congressman, Elijah E. Cummings; Judge Katherine O’Malley, First Lady of Maryland; Maya Angelou, poet and author; Benjamin T. Jealous, Chief Executive Officer for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and many others. Bishop Desmond Tutu will give a video tribute to Dr. Height at the “Hats On” event.
“The Dorothy I. Height Chair and Lectureship will further the ideals and efforts of the legendary leader,” noted Dr. Beverly J. O’Bryant, Dean of the School of Professional Studies.
Persons named as chairs will be esteemed and nationally and/or internationally renowned educators, researchers, and scholars who have demonstrated their commitment to promoting social change and social justice.
According to Dr. Shirley Newton-Guest, Chair of the Department of Social Work, the center honoring Dr. Height is a valued asset to the university’s social work and overall
program.
“While keeping alive the legacy and legend of Dr. Height, the center will also help to expand the university’s social research capability, extend its community outreach tradition and promote new and on-going efforts to address the practices and the effects of social and environmental injustice locally and globally,” she said.
Dr. O’Bryant also noted that the recently chartered Coppin State University collegiate section of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. will participate in the celebration.
Dr. Height, employed in many capacities by both government and social service associations, is known primarily for her leadership roles with the YWCA, Delta Sigma Theta and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). While working as a caseworker for the New York Welfare Department, she was the first African American named to the Personnel Division following the Harlem Riots of 1935 and became one of the young leaders of the United Christian Youth Movement of North America of the New Deal Era. She also worked to prevent lynching, desegregate the armed forces, reform the criminal justice system and fight for access to public accommodations. Among many of her honors, Dr. Height was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George W. Bush in 2004.
Mrs. Tyson will give a live tribute to Dr. Height on the day of the event. She was the first African American actress to co-star in a television drama series, “East Side/West Side” in 1962 and holds extensive acting credits.
Tickets for the “Hats On for Dorothy I. Height” event are $110 in honor of CSU’s 110-year anniversary. A special senior citizen discount has been made available. To purchase tickets or for more information visit www.coppin.edu/DH or call (410) 951-1257.
