AJC Mourns Death of Dorothy I. Height

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Apr 20, 2010, 02:38 ET

NEW YORK, April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC mourns the passing of Dorothy I. Height, a remarkable leader and friend of the Jewish community, who courageously pressed for racial equality in the civil rights era. Ms. Height was 98 years old.

"Dorothy Height's leadership in the fight for civil rights exemplified the moral courage that was so necessary to end segregation in the United States," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Her tireless efforts resulted in extraordinary gains for African Americans."

Height served 41 years as President of the National Council of Negro Women. Called the "Queen Mother" of the civil rights movement, Height is credited with convincing the YWCA's chapters to implement local interracial charters in the face of segregation. Her initiatives trained thousands of women to become activists in their communities.

"We valued our close working relationship with her as emblematic of the cooperative ties between the African-American and Jewish communities throughout the civil rights struggle," said Harris. "She was an inspiring and cherished friend of the Jewish people and we will miss her voice of principle and passion. Her death marks the passing of a unique era in American history."

Height was a regular guest at AJC Annual Meetings and also a participant in an AJC-sponsored study mission to Israel in 1967.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee