Obituary: Dorothy Height, 98, Civil- and Women’s-Rights Leader

Dorothy Height, a relatively unheralded but enormously influential figure in the civil-rights struggles of the 20^th century, died Tuesday in Washington at age 98, says The New York Times.

An activist for nearly 80 years and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Ms. Height led the National Council of Negro Women from 1957 to 1997 and was its president emerita until her death.

She was instrumental in the integration of the YWCA, for which she was a longtime executive; co-founded the National Women’s Political Caucus with Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, and other feminists; and advised several presidents on rights issues.

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