Social work pioneer and civil rights leader, Dr. Dorothy I. Height passed away on April 20. Within 24 hours, the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passed separate resolutions celebrating Dr. Height’s life of and recognizing her lifelong dedication and leadership in the struggle for civil rights for all people.
To view the House resolution, H.RES.1281, go to:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:hr1281eh.txt.pdf
To view the Senate resolution, S. RES. 492, go to:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:sr492ats.txt.pdf
Due to Dr. Height’s proud legacy as a social worker, NASW named its comprehensive bill addressing the social work profession after her and another social work pioneer, Whitney Young. The Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Social Work Reinvestment Act (SWRA) would address the challenges of recruitment, retention, research, and reinvestment in the social work profession. To read more about the SWRA, go to http://www.socialworkreinvestment.org/2009/SWRA/default.html
On April 23, Dr. Height was posthumously given the NASW lifetime achievement award at the conclusion of the Social Work Congress. http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/2010/0304103.asp
NASW Statement of the Passing of Dr. Dorothy Height: http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/2010/042010Height.asp
To view a biography of Dr. Dorothy Height for the Social Work Pioneers go to: http://www.naswfoundation.org/pioneers/h/height.html
