The Ritz-Carlton - Washington, DC

1150 22nd Street NW | Washington, DC 20036

April 21, 2009

Long time civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy I. Height, whose activism and influence spans nearly eight decades, became the first woman to receive the Louis E. Martin Great American Award from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, which was presented to her April 21 at the organization’s Annual Gala.

Dr. Height was recognized for her long and distinguished career in the struggle for equality, social justice and human rights for all people, as well as her ongoing leadership as President and Chair Emerita of the National Council of Negro Women and the chairperson of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

The award is named for the distinguished black journalist, presidential advisor and principal founder of the Joint Center. Previous recipients have included Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, as well as U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), civil rights leader Vernon Jordan and former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali.

More photos from this even can be found in the 2009 Annual Gala photo gallery.

For information on other Annual Galas, please visit the pages for our 2010 Annual Gala and our 2011 Annual Gala.