Statement of US Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in memory of Dr. Dorothy Height

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the funeral and memorial service for Dr. Dorothy Height:

"Today, our nation remembered the life of Dr. Dorothy Height during funeral services at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. She was a champion of the civil rights movement and a staunch women's advocate. Dr. Height understood that the way forward in the civil rights movement was connected to the education and economic prosperity of African-Americans.

"She also inspired and mentored so many women leaders – organizing women of all races and religious beliefs to support the causes of freedom and justice across this nation. She even worked closely with the Labor Department on projects designed to close the retirement income gap for women of color.

"She was the mother of the modern civil rights movement, and godmother and mentor to many of us.

"Today, we said farewell to a great pioneer and visionary who took time to mentor the next generation of women leaders. So in her words, Carry on.'"