On three occasions I had the honor of being in the presence of a true legend – Dr. Dorothy Height. In September of 1999, at the Black Family Reunion in Washington, DC, I sat next to her at a performance of the Urban Nation H.I.P. H.O.P Choir, of which my daughter, Alycia, was a member. As it turned out, Dr. Height was the godmother of their choir director, Rickey Payton Sr.

Then, in 2001, while serving as Co-chair of the Board of Directors at Hannah House in Washington, DC, Executive Director Tanya McKoy produced a wonderful fund raising event which featured Dr. Dorothy Height and presented her with our SHero Award.  Dr. Height graciously accepted our invitation and spent the evening chatting with board members, staff, guests, and Hannah House residents. The picture above was taken at that event.

March of 2002 marked the celebration of Dr. Height's 90th birthday. Uncommon Heights: The Lady, The Legend, The Legacy, was the theme of a star studded Gala in her honor. This event was attended by such amazing, influential individuals as Susan Taylor, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, Coretta Scott King, Danny Glover, Don King, Camile Cosby, and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. Dr. Height extended an invitation to the Urban Nation Choir to perform at her birthday celebration. Now, I have never been star struck, but I was truly in awe that evening. And believe it or not, all of these prominent, notable folk were themselves in awe of this stately, elegant “Queen Mother”. This Black woman who had been known to and respected by every US President since Franklin D. Roosevelt. This Black woman who stood at the right hand of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. as he delivered his 'I Have A Dream' speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. This Black woman who led Delta Sigma Theta, YWCA, and NCNW  to worldwide prominence over the course of a seventy-year long career in public service. This Black woman who stood by as President Barack Obama took his oath of office as the first African-American President in January of 2009.

And so, when I learned of Dr. Height's demise, I was moved in my remembrance of the brief moments in time when I was blessed to experience greatness face to face. At ninety-eight years of age, Dr.  Height left this world having had a profound effect on countless individuals of all races, creeds, colors, and genders. If we can all grasp a small morsel of the strength, courage, and wisdom of this Phenomenal Woman, we will be all the better for it.  As 'Swing Phi Women' we strive to exemplify “Finer Black Womanhood”.  We need look no farther for a  role model to emulate than the life and legacy of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height.