She Persisted: Dorothy Height

She Persisted

by Kelly Starling Lyons, Chelsea Clinton, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Dorothy Height!

Growing up as a Black girl in the 1920s and 1930s, Dorothy Height was denied access to a local swimming pool as well as admission to Barnard College because of her race. But she persisted in pushing for change, and became a seminal figure in both the civil rights and women's rights movements. She went on to be awarded the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Kelly Starling Lyons, readers learn about the amazing life of Dorothy Height--and how she persisted . 

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Dorothy Height's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.

And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Harriet Tubman, Marian Anderson, Oprah Winfrey, Ruby Bridges, and more!

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography, Childrens, History

80 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2023

About the author

Kelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning author whose 17 titles for children span easy readers, picture books, chapter books, fiction, nonfiction, and series. For more than a decade, Lyons has been creating inspiring books that center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all children the storyteller they hold inside. Her acclaimed titles include Going Down Home with Daddy, Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations, Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, Tiara's Hat Parade and the Jada Jones chapter book series. Her new easy reader series with illustrator Nina Mata, Ty's Travels, debuts September 1. The first book, All Aboard, earned a starred Kirkus review.

Lyons counts Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Best of the Year and state award lists, Junior Library Guild selections, a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor among the accolades her books have received. Two of her books, Hope's Gift and Going Down Home with Daddy, have represented the states of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, at the National Book Festival's Parade of the States.

Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a team dedicated to raising awareness of Black children's book creators, a Raleigh-Durham co-ambassador for The Authors Guild, and a teaching artist who visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals nationwide. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and children where she facilitates a book club for boys that salutes literary treasures from Black authors and illustrators of today and the past. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The godmother of civil and women's rights, she didn't set out to be that person when she was growing up but instead was thrust into it by seeing the injustices and issues that were creeping up whether it was when her family was in the south and then as part of the Great Migration moved north. She was denied acceptance into Barnard and while ultimately gaining an apology and honor from them, it was her life's work that deserves the recognition for championing the average Black person- free from lynching, able to swim at a local swimming pool, or equality in the workforce. And God wasn't done with her for quite some time because she died in her late nineties!

The She Persisted series is introducing me to people who I didn't know about and I'm forever grateful.

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Chelsea Clinton do an interview a few weeks ago and had not heard of this series. I picked this book because my aunt was friends with soror Dr. Height, my aunt worked for the YWCA, I am a Delta and actually took a phone message from her for my aunt. When I took the phone call it was as if I was standing in the same room with Dr. Height. I was so proud of that phone call. I wanted to meet her but never expressed my interest to my aunt until she passed away. I cheated myself with my silence. I was lucky to hear stories about her from my aunt. This was a great read. I want to know more!!! Thank you for this series.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

I enjoy this series! This is, once again, a person who I didn't really know about before reading the book. I liked the information presented in this installment of the series but I did feel like it was somewhat dry. Height did a lot a things that are so impressive and inspirational but I feel like the sense of inspiration was somewhat missing from the text, if that makes sense.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is less linear than others, but it makes sense why: Dorothy Height was involved in so many different projects to pursue equality. It's a shame that more people haven't heard of her, and that, due to the intersection of racism and sexism, she was not recognized as much as she should have been.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this book about Dorothy Height, a civil rights leader and women's rights activist. I knew nothing about her and will certainly seek out more information. I love these short biographies that don't bog you down and give you the facts and the joy of a person's life.

[Aterra Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful biography about Dr. Height’s life for beginning readers! Love this book even more knowing my Soror wrote it to celebrate the accomplishments of our Sorority’s 10th National President! 😍

Every little girl (and boy) needs this in their life! ❤️🤍❤️🤍

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. Inspiring. I love learning about new people. It's great that Dorothy Height's story will be known to a new generation of readers.

[Rene Del Bosque Moncayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella luchó por los derechos de lasiketes negras por su liberación y sus derechos una luchadora que le ganaron la medalla a salir a salir con los derechos de las mujeres y separación social

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again with the She Persisted series, I learned so much about Dorothy Height, someone that I knew nothing about before picking up this book in the series. I think it's perfect for the target audience and it was very inspiring to learn about this woman who championed civil rights and women's rights. And she even won the Presidential Medal of Freedom!