How Did Dorothy Irene Height Contribute To The Social Work Career Path

Dorothy Irene Height the Social Work Career Path Dorothy Irene Height was an African American woman, born in Richmond, Virginia on March 24, 1912. During her early childhood, her family moved to Rankin, Pennsylvania where she became educated in public schools. She advanced her educational career by enrolling at New York University, where she acquired a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. Her postgraduate academics were continued at Columbia University and the New York School of Social Work. Her success stemmed from her educated and hardworking parents, James and Fannie Burroughs Height. Her mother demonstrated dedication to her role as an activist, which sparked Dorothy’s interest and later became

Growing up in the mid-20th century, she experienced much discrimination surrounding her race and gender. Her frustrations originated from the disregard and indifference that African American women faced from their male counterparts while participating in their roles of activists. In 1929, she was accepted into Barnard College but was denied admittance on the basis that the school's quota of two Black women had already been met. Following her denial from Barnard, Height enrolled at New York University, where her academic excellence and achievements exposed her to social and political causes and led to her involvement in activism throughout her career (Orocu, 2021). Her lifelong affiliation with the National Council of Negro Women began with her meeting Mary McLeod Bethune, Founder and President of the organization, on November 7, 1937 – a date Dr. Height is referred to as the turning point of her life. As NCNW President, she helped organize and coordinate the 1963 March on