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Regarding the Deaths of Dr. Benjamin Hooks & Dr. Dorothy Height
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May 10, 2010 Posted by Joshua Jones
Message from Clayola Brown,
President of The A. Philip Randolph Institute
April 15, 2010 – April 20, 2010Within the short span of one week, the nation and the world has lost two noble icons of dignified strength and formidable courage. Last Thursday, on April 15, the birth date of civil rights and labor activist A. Philip Randolph, Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks passed away. Today, April 20th, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height leaves us just a few weeks after her 98th birthday.
Two formidable Giants--Dr. Hooks and Dr. Height were two legendary African American leaders who stood up against all odds and stood out against all oppressors for those who were unable to fight for themselves. True Heroes--they chose a path of selflessness, dedication, and sacrifice to wrap their arms around the downtrodden, the forgotten and the invisible. They embraced all who shared their values.
Their legacy is unquestionable.
Both began their service to humanity as young people.
At age 23, Dr. Hooks began his leadership as a young, idealistic attorney vowing to help break down the barriers of racial segregation in the South. At age 26, Dr. Height was one of ten young people selected by Eleanor Roosevelt to help plan a World Youth Conference.Dr. Hooks was a minister and lawyer who used his oratorical skills and legal acumen to argue against civil injustices and bigotry. His resolve to do something about bringing equality to his southern home eventually brought him to lead the NAACP--the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights organization--for more than 15 years. He viewed his calling as a minister and his work as a lawyer as “honorable badges” of duty and responsibility to be worn proudly on behalf of those less fortunate. Dr. Hooks was a pioneer and dedicated spokesperson in restaurant sit-ins and other boycotts of consumer items and services. As late as the 1970’s, he continued to walk the “walk” and talk the “talk”, declaring: "The civil rights movement is not dead. If anyone thinks that we are going to stop agitating, they had better think again. If anyone thinks that we are going to stop litigating, they had better close the courts. If anyone thinks that we are not going to demonstrate and protest, they had better roll up the sidewalks."
Dr. Height was a social activist, organizer and administrator who used her capability to create opportunities and develop resources to bring dignity and self-respect to her people. She labored tirelessly for better working conditions for black domestic workers, and worked to elevate the status of women and girls in a man’s world. Taking on challenges of racial and gender discrimination, and accepting leadership roles during a time when even most men would seek an easier path, Dr. Height was the consummate professional, with a determined resilient spirit and nurturing kind heart. She joined the ranks of leadership during the height of the civil rights movement with her brothers in the struggle for equality and justice for all people. She often stood as the lone woman--standing for more than fifty years for women who could not stand for themselves in her role as head of the National Council of Negro Women. She was a humble servant of the people and once reflected that, “I want to be remembered as someone who used herself and anything she could touch to work for justice and freedom.... I want to be remembered as one who tried.” Her life mirrored her passion for living and her commitment to do her part to make life better for others, to leave the world better than she found it.All of us who were fortunate to have known Dr. Hooks and Dr. Height personally have been touched by their inspiring strength and endearing spirits. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to them for having been sterling examples of commitment, compassion and courage in defending the civil and human rights that we enjoy today. We trust that younger generations and those yet to come will appreciate their historic legacies and be moved by their unyielding and resolute faith.
Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks. Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. Their names have been rightfully added to the Roll Call of “good and faithful servants” in the land of sleeping Giants.