Dorothy Height is an American author, essayist, and commentator who has written extensively on the presidency, international relations, and the American condition. Here are some of the most inspiring Dorothy Height quotes that show us why she was such an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
Dorothy Height Quotes
“We must do the things that will keep us happy and healthy; we must take care of ourselves. And we must take care of our children so they have the right opportunities and chances in life. And we have to be honest with ourselves. If we’re not happy, we won’t work as hard.” — Dorothy Height
“If they don’t tell it, I just make it up myself.” — Dorothy Height
“I don’t see eye to eye with anyone. I am not a joiner and have only two enemies: ignorance and tyranny. The second is the most dangerous. In the first, there is ignorance, and in the second, there is tyranny.” — Dorothy Height
“The best leaders are those who have never lost sight of their vision. They don’t become discouraged by the failure of others. They don’t become discouraged by their failure, but they never give up.” — Dorothy Height
“Life isn’t easy for any of us. But we can get through almost anything if we have courage, strength, and hope. We can get through bad times and find good times. We’ll find strength in difficult times and the courage to be happy in good times.” — Dorothy Height
“I am a risk-taker. I like to put myself out there, try to do things that may not work out, but keep moving on. No matter how good or bad the situation is, you have to keep moving. ” — Dorothy Height
“The world is the people. Sometimes you have to understand they have incredible power and incredible fears and prejudices. You can never be too careful with the people.” — Dorothy Height
“I’ve learned that you’ve got to be who you are and do what makes you happy in all circumstances.” — Dorothy Height
“If you don’t remove prejudice from your heart, then it’s going to destroy your world.” — Dorothy Height
“I am a risk-taker. I like to put myself out there, try to do things that may not work out, but keep moving on. No matter how good or bad the situation is, you have to keep moving.” — Dorothy Height
“If we could manage our time and our resources efficiently, with a sense of urgency, we would all have enough for ourselves and our children.” — Dorothy Height
“When we have a strong collective will, we can change the world.” — Dorothy Height
“When you are committed to justice and equality, there are no such things as ‘small potatoes.’ ” — Dorothy Height
“A leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” — Dorothy Height
“It’s not good for us as women to depend on any particular man. We must have our own identity and stand on our own two feet. It’s good to be in partnership — I’m not anti-men — but we can’t sit on the sidelines and say, ‘Go on and do it all.’ ” — Dorothy Height
“I don’t think you can have a family without some kind of community.” — Dorothy Height
“If we want to see change take place in this country, women must be at the table.” — Dorothy Height
“It’s important for us to remember that leadership is a process of building up people. You can’t lead others if you don’t understand yourself.” — Dorothy Height
“We who have been oppressed and sacrificed greatly. We will not settle for half-measures or tokenism.” — Dorothy Height
“You can’t get anywhere without the tools, and access to the tools is power. If you don’t have access, you don’t have power.” — Dorothy Height
“The first and most important thing is that we all feel at home in the United States and feel deeply about our country.” — Dorothy Height
“You are a part of the leadership of this country. You have the responsibility to make things happen.” — Dorothy Height
“We are not free until we are free to be free.” — Dorothy Height
Dorothy Irene Height Quotes
“I’m about freedom and about justice for all. It is not enough to say we must accept the things that come, even if they’re unjust.” — Dorothy Height
“To be human is to be vulnerable to pain, sorrow, fear and death. To be a woman is to suffer disproportionately to men. Our lives bring us close to death, which can only be overcome by striving for justice.” — Dorothy Height
“We have the right, at this stage of our development, to give birth to ourselves as persons. This can only happen as we struggle against and overcome the great life-denying forces of death.” — Dorothy Height
“We are faced with the challenge to rebuild the house of democracy.” — Dorothy Height
“The American Negro girl has inherited a proud heritage. In her case, there is the sense of being connected to a heritage of achievement, freedom and justice. She must not be allowed to live the life of a Hayseed.” — Dorothy Height
“We must anticipate that the American Negro will have less access to talent and more to ignorance and backwardness.” — Dorothy Height
“We are going through an historic period in our nation when things are changing rapidly. We can no longer afford to be content with a life in which we may only survive but not thrive. We have to be bold enough to blaze a new trail for ourselves and our children.” — Dorothy Height
“I’m a New Yorker. I’ve heard every word, seen every action! When you get down to it, that’s the only way you really can get results. You have to be willing to go all the way.” — Dorothy Height
“The greatest obstacle to social change for the better is the lack of education.” — Dorothy Height
“We must not give up just because we are confronted with seemingly impossible obstacles. Our need should be to never cease striving.” — Dorothy Height
“I have faith in God, but I do not believe that our country is guided by God. There is no future for me in this country. We have to build our own future, but we must begin with the present and face the reality of the present. — Dorothy Height
“I have fought all my life for strength, intelligence, determination and faith. What I demand in return is intelligence, equality and justice.” — Dorothy Height
“There’s a spirit of hope that should follow us throughout our lives. It’s an individual responsibility to strengthen ourselves by finding out what we can do for humanity. — Dorothy Height
“We fight many battles and most of them we lose. We’re still here, and it means that we have not lost the desire to win.” — Dorothy Height
“The struggle is long, but I am in it for life.” — Dorothy Height
“The Spirit of ’76 was a declaration made by men who were bold enough to think that they could change the world. That’s what we must find again ––that spirit which makes you believe that you can change the world. — Dorothy Height
“It is obvious there can be no freedom in a society where people are conditioned to be afraid of each other. — Dorothy Height
Quotes by Dorothy Height
“I have always been interested in woman’s struggle for equality and in justice. My parents taught me that you must fight for what is right, even if it means going against the majority view.” — Dorothy Height
“Making change is never easy but always possible. It requires leadership, not waiting for leadership. And it requires organization and strategy.”— Dorothy Height
“There are two great evils in the world: ignorance and prejudice; and when they join forces, there is no battle that can be won. — Dorothy Height
“The real power in this country belongs to the people not the government. — Dorothy Height
“The women’s movement is the most important thing that’s happened in my lifetime. It’s the strongest human movement yet.” — Dorothy Height
“Your presence and support can change things.”— Dorothy Height
“We need people of radical ideas among us. We need people who are willing to sacrifice. We need people who will stop thinking too much and start acting.”— Dorothy Height
“I did not set out to change the world. I tried to create a place where I could change the world.” — Dorothy Height
“To make a better world, you have to start in your own small way.” — Dorothy Height
“The struggle for women’s liberation is the struggle for freedom of all peoples on this planet. — Dorothy Height
“I’m not a revolutionary. I’m a pragmatist. You have to be able to make decisions, decide what you will do with your life, and follow through.” — Dorothy Height
“There are no shortcuts. There is only working hard and doing what’s right.” — Dorothy Height
“We are always concerned about the plight of the poor and oppressed. This country has many more poor than rich because we don’t give everybody an equal opportunity. This is why we try so hard to be heard in our nation’s capital.” — Dorothy Height
“I know what it is like to suffer and not have basic human rights. I know what it is like to be hungry, to have no place to live, to live in a shelter.” — Dorothy Height
“I think for things to change, people have to stand up and be counted and say, ‘It’s time. It’s past time.’ ” — Dorothy Height
“Strength doesn’t come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through struggle and defeat, that is how you find the strength to rise.” — Dorothy Height
“Just because I’ve had good fortune doesn’t mean all women will. Some will be like me, and some won’t, but that’s okay because we all need to be strong for each other.” — Dorothy Height
Quotes from Dorothy Height
The exciting thing about being involved in public affairs is that you can make a difference. — Dorothy Height
“No one can guarantee success in life. A person has to do the best they can, learn as much as they can, and try to help people.” — Dorothy Height
“The great secret of life is that we are all responsible for it.” — Dorothy Height
“It is essential that we try everything we can think of in our personal lives in addition to being involved in public life. One cannot be successful without being responsible.” — Dorothy Height
“We have the right to be free, but we don’t have the privilege of the freedom without doing something about it.” — Dorothy Height
“It’s hypocritical for a person to say that they believe in equal rights and then act in ways that support gender inequality. If you’re going to do anything, do it by being honest and consistent.” — Dorothy Height
“The most important thing about this country is what we stand for. It’s what we believe in. We are responsible for everything we do.” — Dorothy Height
“Our lives are short. It is important to live them fully and not waste time.” — Dorothy Height
“Women’s rights advanced mainly through the era’s creative and tireless approach.The women involved in the movement were not afraid to take risks and make sacrifices. We must be equally willing to do this today.” — Dorothy Height
“In this country, powerful men are going to do everything they can to keep women from taking on leadership roles. But things aren’t going to win. It’s always a question of time.” — Dorothy Height
“The exciting thing about being involved in public affairs is that you can make a difference.” — Dorothy Height
“Nothing ever has been or ever will be carried out on a large scale without women being involved. — Dorothy Height
“Everyone should try to be as kind and thoughtful as possible.” — Dorothy Height
The most important thing about this country is what we stand for. It’s what we believe in. We are responsible for everything we do. — Dorothy Height
“I see that people are beginning to realize that the individual has a lot of power and that one person can make a difference. — Dorothy Height
“I think it is essential that we try everything we can think of in our personal lives in addition to being involved in public life. One cannot be successful without being responsible.” — Dorothy Height
