Obama Breaks Down in Tears at Dorothy Height's Funeral
Posted on 30 April 2010
WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama broke down in tears at the funeral of 'Godmother' of American civil rights movement Dr. Dorothy Height in Washington today.
Obama was weeping openly as he watched the service for Dr. Height who changed the course of history by standing up for the rights of the Blacks in America along with her comrade-at-arms Rosa Parks.
Mr Obama watched as Dr Height's coffin was carried into the cathedral, and said he was here because of her as he took the podium to deliver the eulogy for Dr Height today.
The US president was joined by his wife Michelle, and Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the service.
Dr Height died last week at 98 after a long illness. She was a pioneering voice of the civil rights movement who remained active and outspoken well into her 90s.
Dr Height led the National Council of Negro Women for decades and marched with the Rev Martin Luther King Jr.