Dorothy I Heights, 98, one the leading women voices of the 1960s American Civil Rights movement died early Tuesday morning of natural causes.

As a civil rights activist Ms. Heights pushed for racial justice and gender equality. She was the President of the National Council of Negro Women for over 40 years, passing on her title in 1997. The National Council of Negro Women consisted of 34 national and 250 community based organizations. It was founded in 1935 by educator Mary McLeod Bethune who became her mentor. Ms. Heights was a key role in the struggles for school desegregation, voting rights, and employment opportunities.

Ms. Heights protested in Harlem during the 1930s and the 1940’s she lobbied first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. In the 1950’s she pushed President Dwight D. Eisenhower to move more assertively on school desegregation. Dorothy Heights fought on the front lines of the civil rights movement. She organized the 1960s civil right movement along with Dr. Martin Luther King, among other civil rights leaders. Ms. Heights sat on the platform when Dr. King delivered his infamous “I Have A Dream” speech.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nations highest civilian honor.

In a statement from the White House President Obama stated that Dorothy Heights is considered” the godmother of the civil rights movement”.

“This is truly a sad day for labor, we are driven by such great leaders, we wish the family and friends of Dorothy Heights all the best” stated, AFSCME Maryland Council 67 Director Glen Middleton.