The esteemed civil rights leader, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, a native of Richmond, would have celebrated her 112th birthday on Sunday, March 24. Although she died April 20, 2010, at age 98 in Washington, D.C., her legacy remains strong, especially in Richmond’s Blackwell neighborhood where she was born.

The Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the National Council of Negro Women, Richmond Section hosted their annual Dorothy I. Height Day on Friday, March 22, at the Richmond Public Library’s Hull Street Branch. In honoring Dr. Height’s birthday, the sorority also recognized the importance of voting.

Both groups have annually gathered at the library since the installation of two markers in 2019 to honor Dr. Height and what she stood for—racial justice and gender equality.

As local and national political campaigns gear up for November’s elections, various speakers, including Tyee Davenport Mallory, National Council of Negro Women, Richmond Section president, and Vanessa Evans, president of the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, spoke about Dr. Height’s beliefs and her fight for voting rights, equality and justice.

Dr. Height served as national president for the National Council of Negro Women and was the 10th president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Keith Balmer, general registrar for the City of Richmond, explained the significance of this year’s elections, adding “We need help this year ... I need 900 more poll workers.” He asked the women to help him get ready for the more than 160,000 registered voters in Richmond.

After the program, members of both organizations marched outside with signs encouraging people to vote. The groups also sang a spirited version of Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” song before taking selfies and moving on to other activities in the name of community and service.