FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS : Courtney Bowe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACTS: Courtney Bowe

March 24, 2011 202-994-5631;

Michelle Sherrard

202-994-1423;

George Washington University Establishes Dorothy I. Height Public Service Scholarship and Campus Memorial for Civil Rights Leader

WASHINGTON - On what would be Dorothy Height’s 99th birthday, the George Washington University is celebrating the life and legacy of a national heroine committed to education, equal opportunity, public service and social activism. The university today established the Dr. Dorothy I. Height Scholarship for Public Service in addition to a campus memorial that will permanently honor her civic principles.

“Dr. Height's dedication to justice and service was a model for us all,” said GW President Steven Knapp. “We are honored to celebrate her legacy with this campus memorial and the scholarship bearing her name.”

The Dr. Dorothy I. Height Scholarship for Public Service will be given each year to incoming first-year students with financial need and a personal commitment to public service, civil rights, academic excellence and public policy. The recipient will be required to perform 100 hours of community-based service during the course of the academic year. The first award of $10,000 will be made this summer to a freshman in the class of 2015.

The memorial, a stone bench, located at the Square 80 Park behind GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) and next to the all-women dormitory, Strong Hall, represents Dr. Height’s life-long vision of education and equal opportunity for women and minorities.

“Dr. Height was firmly focused on the future,” said Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor. “Certainly this honor continues to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders will uphold her walk and love of public service.”

Dr. Height, a national legend with local ties, was a leader of the African-American and women’s rights’ movements. She was the former president of both the National Council of Negro Women and historically black sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Dr. Height died in April of 2010 at 98-years-old in a District of Columbia hospital, leaving behind a legacy of public service, education and social activism.

“Dr. Height was a visionary,” said Bernard Demzcuk, GW vice president of D.C. relations and African-American historian. “She stood at the crossroads of American history with the vision of a society of justice, equality and scholarship.”

Dr. Height’s memorial bench will be added to the “Walking the Spirit of Black Foggy Bottom” heritage trail that celebrates the once predominately African-American community in Foggy Bottom. According to Dr. Demzcuk, Foggy Bottom was home to some the most influential black Americans for more than 100 years.

The bench will add to the collection of African-American historical documents and treasures on the GW campus. Earlier this year, GW’s Africana Research Center acquired the historical papers of the late civil rights activist and attorney William Taylor in addition to receiving original artifacts from legendary Ben’s Chili Bowl, one of the most prominent and successful minority-owned businesses to date.

“Dr. Height is one of my personal heroes. She championed rights for all minorities and upheld a value system that all public servants should admire,” said Kelley Stokes, GW graduate student and member of GW’s Mu Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. “It’s exciting and encouraging to see the university honor the significant contributions of this incredible woman in addition to providing access for students, scholars and the public to discover the tremendous impact of African-Americans throughout history.”

In the heart of the nation's capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 countries

For high-resolution photos of the day's events, please contact Courtney Bowe at 202-994-5631 or .

-GW-