Dorothy Height's fashion flair

Civil rights activist and longtime president of the National Council of Negro Women, Dorothy Height, who died April 20 at 98, was well known for her lushly colored suits and her glorious hats.

In a regal purple suit and matching hat, Dorothy Height speaks during the Uncommon Height Gala honoring Oprah Winfrey in Washington, D.C. in 2009.

Jose Luis Magana-AP

In a wheelchair, Height is one of the red carpet arrivals for the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner in 2008.

Richard A. Lipski-TWP

Dignified in signature formal suit, hat and jewelry, Height sits in front of a young picture of herself in the "Freedom's Sisters" exhibition at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Her elegant style never veered.

David Kohl-AP

In her wide, portrait-brim purple hat, the human rights activist is seated among the many dignitaries attending the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial groundbreaking ceremony on the Mall in November.

Nikki Kahn-THE WASHINGTON POST

In metallic, beribboned hat and matching gray tweed suit, Height speaks from a wheelchair, giving tribute to Rosa Parks at the Rosa Parks Memorial in D.C. at Metropolitan AME Church.

Michel Ducille-TWP

Height pays tribute to Rosa Parks at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Haraz N. Ghanbari-AP

Wearing a brightly colored scarf and straw hat, Dorothy Height in a tent museum that honors her at the 20th annual Black Family Reunion on the National Mall in Washington.

Jahi Chikwendiu-Washington Post

Regal in purple, Height talks with then-Senator Barack Obama at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies' annual dinner at the Washington Hilton in 2005.

Rich Lipski-twp

The 2004 Congressional Gold Medal of Honor recipient speaks at a news conference before being made an honorary Barnard College alumna during a dinner in her honor in New York. Height worked hard and took great care to coordinate her outfits just so.

Diane Bondareff-AP

In her perfectly coordinated hat and suit, Height shares a laugh with George W. Bush during the 2004 ceremony at the Capitol when she received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Robert A. Reeder-TWP

At his retirement party at Africare House, C. Payne Lucas, president of Africare, greets the elegant and proud Dorothy Height.

Rich Lipski-TWP

As Washington Post fashion critic Robin Givhan comments, "In her later years, Height often would be the sole woman on the dais or in the spotlight who seemed to have worked so hard and taken such care with her appearance." Here, she looks over her notes before speaking to students at New Hope Academy in Landover Hills, Md., in 1999.

James M. Thresher

Height found and maintained a style that served her well. In this photo she listens to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

Gallery Credits:
Producer Stephen Cook

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This Story A farewell to a 'dear sister' Article \| Former president Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and other political titans shared their joyful memories of Dorothy Irene Height on Wednesday night at Shiloh Baptist Church, offering a send-off fit for a civil rights icon renowned both for her substance and her style. First of many tributes for Dorothy Height Services remember Dorothy Height Thousands pay respects to Dorothy Height Dorothy Height's fashion flair Dorothy I. Height 1912 -- 2010: A movement's matriarch Reader forum: Discuss Height's legacy Tributes, funeral service for Height scheduled for next week APPRECIATION: Appreciation: Civil rights matriarch fought racism with dignity Civil rights leader Dorothy Height dies Archive: Height leads celebration at Black Family Reunion Dorothy Height's Civil Rights Legacy		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		Related Services remember Dorothy Height Photos \| Hundreds of people pay their respects to the matriarch of the civil rights movement, who died April 20 at age 98. Dorothy Height's Civil Rights Legacy Photos \| Dorothy I. Height's crusade for racial justice and gender equality spanned more than six decades. Ms. Height was among the coalition of African American leaders who pushed civil rights to the center of the American political stage in the years after World War II, and she was a key figure in the struggles for school desegregation, voting rights, employment and public accommodations.
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This Story A farewell to a 'dear sister' Article \| Former president Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and other political titans shared their joyful memories of Dorothy Irene Height on Wednesday night at Shiloh Baptist Church, offering a send-off fit for a civil rights icon renowned both for her substance and her style. First of many tributes for Dorothy Height Services remember Dorothy Height Thousands pay respects to Dorothy Height Dorothy Height's fashion flair Dorothy I. Height 1912 -- 2010: A movement's matriarch Reader forum: Discuss Height's legacy Tributes, funeral service for Height scheduled for next week APPRECIATION: Appreciation: Civil rights matriarch fought racism with dignity Civil rights leader Dorothy Height dies Archive: Height leads celebration at Black Family Reunion Dorothy Height's Civil Rights Legacy		Network News X Profile View More Activity TOOLBOX E-Mail This Reprints		Related Services remember Dorothy Height Photos \| Hundreds of people pay their respects to the matriarch of the civil rights movement, who died April 20 at age 98. Dorothy Height's Civil Rights Legacy Photos \| Dorothy I. Height's crusade for racial justice and gender equality spanned more than six decades. Ms. Height was among the coalition of African American leaders who pushed civil rights to the center of the American political stage in the years after World War II, and she was a key figure in the struggles for school desegregation, voting rights, employment and public accommodations.
» This Story:Read +\|Watch +\| Comments

Dorothy Height's fashion flair

Civil rights activist and longtime president of the National Council of Negro Women, Dorothy Height, who died April 20 at 98, was well known for her lushly colored suits and her glorious hats.

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