Thursday
Apr292010
Honoring Dorothy Height
Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 10:50 AM 
AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari
First Lady Mrs. O joined the President and Vice President this morning to attend the funeral services for civil rights leader Dorothy Height, who passed away at age 98 on April 20. The services were held at the National Cathedral in Washington, with President Obama due to deliver the eulogy.
While most media coverage has naturally focused on Ms. Height's profound civil rights influence, there has also been a bit of attention placed on her legacy of "fashion flair." In a piece today, Robin Givhan of the Washington Post profiles Ms. Height's style influence, celebrating "her formal wardrobe of feminine suits in lush colors and, most specifically, her glorious hats." You can find the full piece here.
Reader Comments (55)
Very nice and chic. Love the dress and the pearls. I have a question. Very rarely will I attend a funeral service wearing all black, I normally go for something colorful. Am I wrong for that, and I hardly ever wear a dress or a skirt to church when its cool outside am I wrong for that? I am asking because one of my friends looked at my funny when she saw I had on pants, is there some unwritten rule that says women shouldn't where pants to church?
Many of you know that I always in Mrs. O's corner.
But, it seems to me, that she should have worn a hat to the funeral of Ms. Dorothy Irene Height. I certainly would have.
What an amazing woman. May she rest in peace. Does anyone know if she ever married or had children ?
@ Ashley Williams. I can only speak for the old school black community church going folk I know, and yes, it is considered unseemly for a woman to wear pants to church. I do, and have been given "the look" as well as being told by the older people in my family that ladies don't wear pants to church. Thankfully it is 2010, I'm a grown woman, so I feel fine breaking that little rule. I will admit that I usually wear pants when it's cold out. I'm like Mrs. O in that I don't like wearing nylons, so most of the time I wait until it is warm out before I break out the dresses and skirts.
About this picture, I find it so interesting that as time goes by, Mr. O is looking older and older, while Mrs. O is looking younger and younger. I think it reflects the experiences they are having within their respective roles.
Here's a full length. I know heels fans will be happy!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/065M0mn3nw0PC?q=michelle+obama
RIP Dorothy Height. she paved the way President Obama and is Wife are now walking on.
on the fashion front her is a full-length picture of Mrs.O. her heels are the business.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/065M0mn3nw0PC?q=Michelle-Obama
JUST SAW THE WHOLE BLACK DRESS MRS OBAMA IS WEARRING LOVE HER BLACK HEEL I SURPRISED THAT SHE WEAR HEELS SHE ALWAYS WEAR FLATS I GUSS MRS OBAMA WONT TO BE TALLER THEN HER HER HUSBAND SHE CAN AT LEASE FIX HER HAIR IT WAS SILK BACK AGIAN.
No Jestina, Ms. Heights never married nor had children. She devoted her life improving the lives of others.
Iva:
I will guess that you are Baptist, or some denomination that is closely related. In other denominations, mainly Catholic and Episcopal, we wear whatever we want. As I have stated many times on these boards, these denominations know that God is not looking at your clothes, but your heart. Sidebar: I still dress to go to church. I adore fashion and find every opportunity that I can to dress.
why? there is nothing wrong with her not wearing a hat. there are many ways to honor Mrs. Height. and why are you only targeting the First Lady? i' ve seen many close relatives of Mrs Height during the ceromony without any hat. it is like this woman is always damned no matter what she is doing!
Mrs. Obama looks great.
Since I am one of the people that Iva spoke of regarding high heels, all I can say is that I am loving this look!
I'm not suggesting for a moment that Mrs Obama is heavy but those heels elongate her and make her look a lot slender. I'm loving this look, a lot !!
Ashley, No, you are not wrong for wearing color to a funeral. Alot of people choose to look at a funeral as a homegoing celebration anyway. As far as the pants situation, I'm with IVA and think that is an old school tradition and like Jersygirl said probably done more in the COGIC and Baptist denominations. My mother has never worn pants to church (she just recently started wearing them in her everyday life), thats just not how she was raised (and she's not that old). However, most sundays that I go, I wear pants and its a shock and a treat ;-) when I actually wear a skirt or dress. I think majority of churches have adopted the "come as you are" policy,although some of the older members still can't get down with that.
RIP Dorothy Height
LOVE the high heels.
The First Lady - should absolutely NOT be wearing a hat to the service held for the great Miss Height. The republican pundents would have a field day with her in some odd hat that has no bearing on her personal style.
The goal of a funeral service is to allow people to pay their respects - not dress to mock them. If a small baby passed away would mourners be expected to wear diapers to the service ???
MO is a class act - with her own built in crown - no hat is needed.
RIP Dr Height.
I wonder if Michelle wanted to wear a hat but knew she'd be in the front to and didn't want to block any views.
@MichelleToo it would have been caricaturist for the First Lady to show up at the funeral wearing a hat just because hats were Mrs. Height's signature fashion statement. I am yet to see MO in a hat. Look at how many black women were NOT wearing hats. You "certainly would have" so go ahead.
And I love it when she steeps her hair off her face. She has amazing bone structure and this style shows it off.
I thought Mrs. O would wear a hat too but I'm not surprised b/c it would have been odd to see her in a hat when we've yet to see her in one. She's constantly herself as was Ms. Height.
@Jestina, no, Ms. Height never married or had children.
@Ashley, wearing black to a funeral may also be cultural. I'm from Ghana and you dare not wear anything other than black or red to a funeral. The first time I went to a funeral in the U. S. I was very surprised to see people wearing colors besides black.
I am loving the picture of elegance Mrs. O. presents in the photo. I am also a tall girl and I
love wearing heels.
Ok, ok...calm down.
I am not damning Mrs. O. I love her and all her choices, including her choice to NOT wear a hat.
I read the piece that was linked to this post and I just thought it would have been nice to see the first lady give a nod to Ms. Height's signature style. Mrs. O often uses fashion to make statements, for instance the beautiful clothes she wore to Norway and how they all seemed to nod toward the country and the occasion.
It was simply a thought. But, in retrospect, it might have looked to costumey and not appropriate for the somber occasion.
RIP Dorothy Height and thank you.
I agree with Nyon, jerseygirl and IVA on the trousers issue. If you go to church, it's important that a person goes with the right thoughts in their head and heart, most of all. And if that means going in trousers, that might be harder for some of the older members to accept at times. Don't forget it's only 50 years since the 1960. Some of these ladies were brought up in a time when rules really were strict. It's different now.
Re the hat comment, no, I don't see why Mrs O should have been wearing a hat. People don't wear hats much, these days. Nancy Pelosi wasn't wearing one either. And as Mrs O has clearly said before, she doesn't do hats. So that's easy.
Mrs. Obama graces us once again with her impeccable style and her inward loveliness!
Some years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Height in Chicago and she was so gracious! She always attended one city, which was the selected host city for the kick-off of the season's 'Family Reunion' event. This was one of her dreams that came to fruition. We met at the tent where my friend was teaching on AA diaspora and how to trace your family's roots. The overall event proved to be educational, fun, and very family oriented! She was a true visionary whose dreams became reality. Ms. Height will be greatly missed!
@ MichelleToo you are a sensible lady........
"But, in retrospect, it might have looked to costumey and not appropriate for the somber occasion."
@ Ashley Williams. It is not wrong to wear something colorful to a funeral. I've seen it many times. Traditionally, black (or another dark color) is worn to reflect the somberness of the occasion. At my mother's funeral some years ago, I wore a red Liz Claiborne dress with a multi-colored scarf and black accessories. No hat ( I have my covering and it's not in a hat form, thank you)! I didn't care who thought what about the color I chose to don and no one addressed the matter either. During that time, I seriously needed the biggest boost ever in my life and it somewhat helped!
Regarding pants vs dresses/skirts. Again, traditionally, women didn't wear pants to church. Yet, over the past 30+ years, views towards 'holiness' in association with apparel have gained revelation knowledge and changed considerably. God looks on the heart, not the apparel. If God is looking at what I'm wearing instead of my heart's petition that's in dire need of getting an answer, I going to switch who I'm praying to.
So, go with your own convictions, not someone elses. There are times when you go with the flow, e.g. if you're a speaker and the congregation you've been invited to speak at follows certain traditions. Then you dress accordingly. Other than that, ultimately, it comes down to a person motive and intent in whatever they do.
Jerseygirl, you said what I was going to. I attend a large church. All are welcome, even people with tattoos and piercings. God is looking at the heart. He wants ALL to come to know Him.
Mrs. O dressed perfectly for this occasion. Love the heels with this outfit.
Ah yes, the poor POTUS. This is a job that ages everyone who takes it on. The weight of the world is on his shoulders..........literally! It's mainly that he's letting his hair go gray. I would look 10 years older than I do if I didn't have my hair colored every 4 weeks. One of these days I'll stop but for now, it makes me feel good to look a lot younger than I am!
Yes, Iva, She looks glorious in those heels. See how elegant, streamlines, and chic they make her. That's why I wish she would wear heels more often, (sigh) especially for formal occasions.
@ jersey girl - yep, I'm Baptist, and I have used your argument many times. I don't think God cares what I'm wearing as long as I'm at Church for the right reasons.
I don't have a problem with color worn respectfully at a funeral (we wore gold and white in tribute to my 91 year old grandmother at her labor day funeral) but something about Nancy Pelosi's ill-fitting lavendar suit rubs me the wrong way.
@ Nora - I agree that it would be nice if she wore heels more for formal occasions because I do think she looks fantastic when she wears them like she did today.
Here are some pictures of Mr. O getting emotional:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0ecxcYR9oy82k?q=Michelle-Obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gQz7jwb3a1xh?q=Barack+Obama
I was on Daylife and noticed one new pic of Michelle planting a butterfly garden. White shirt, green sweater, black pants, cute!
YES! I love Mrs.O in heels, they do make her legs appear to be longer and slender.
Oh IVA, the pics with the President getting emotional, just lets us know that they
are regular folks who happen to live in the White House. God Bless them.
RIP Dorothy Height......Thanks for ALL you did for us.
Wow, Ms M, you actually met Dorothy Height. That's a fabulous memory.
Mrs.O at a community service
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/100429/ids_photos_ts/r3601127243.jpg
I'm with the no hat crowd for many of the reasons given. It is not necessary - or even proper or respectful - to attempt to mimic the person whose funeral you are attending. In this case it would have been very out of character. Remember, she is attending thie funeral as the FLOTUS.
I think she looks fine.
RIP Ms. Height, thank-you for quietly tolling so that the rest of us can enjoy much of what we have today...
Mrs. Height was a lady's lady. Her style, wit, commitment and perseverance helped advance the rights of women everywhere.
Dorothy Height was an amazing woman. She has truly passed on the flame to Mrs. O.
She lived to see her grandest dreams comes true for the many daughters that were hers not by birth but through spirit.
And once again for the record, I would have worn a hat to the occasion, but I also must bear in mind that I am not the first lady. I wear hats all the time and I am also in the entertainment industry. I strike my earlier comment from the record. The simple fact that Michelle Obama is the First Lady is more than enough to forever honor the memory of Soror Height.
Love the total look of Mrs. O. She looks fantastic in those heels. I have an identical pair by Coach. Love it so much! Also, there was absolutely no need for her to wear a hat to the service. Its not her style and she would have come off as corny.
Dorothy Height was an inspiration to all women. I know I'll never forget her always clear and extremely articulate voice. That we should all live to be that alert, grand and involved to the end. Bless her!!
My husband and I were stunned by the strange look that Mrs. O. gave her husband when he began to cry at the funeral. I think it's great that President Obama is so in touch with his feelings that he would allow himself to show his emotions. That's a REAL man and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
@ Posh Tater. Yes, it is a wonderful memory to me. The event was in a park and there were many tents and vendors on the grounds that day. I was at the Black Family Reunion's Diaspora tent listening to my friend speak when I just so happened to look up from the handout material we were perusing, when about 50 feet away, I saw Ms. Height being escorted by her companion coming from the direction of the parking lot. This was the first tent she visited. Once in the tent, I took the opportunity to greet her and 'thank' her for everything she's been doing. That was in the mid-1990's. From what I recall, she was undoubtedly coiffed and impeccable in a lovely 2-piece suit and a beautiful matching hat. What a very humble and gracious woman, indeed!
I think sometimes we can be so hard on people for the smallest of things. You attend a funeral out of respect but then you forget one small thing and that overshadows the fact that you are paying your respect in the first place. We can look at pictures and judge but not one of us knows the true character of a person. We need to take ONE day in which we do not judge people.
I don't think that was a strange look. I think that was a wife that was grieving herself and so happend to look at her husband with her eyes only without moving her head. My gosh, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, but you don't know which thousand words, so stop assuming!!!
Today, I visited the website of Essence.com and found a photo of President and Mrs. Obama at the funeral for Dr. Dorothy I. Height. In the photo you can clearly see tears the President shed...what a moving photo...I think it speaks volumes about him as a person. What do you think? Here is the link
http://www.essence.com/images/mt/obama-crying-height-funeral.jpg
I must have missed my piece of history on Dorothy Height cause I'd never heard of her prior to this post. I will have to read more about her. Few comments...
Why should she wear a hat? Is this a cultural thing in America or sth? I don't know when funerals and hats were linked together. That is the most ridiculous statement. Funeral or not, people should still be themselves. She would have been crucified, had she worn a hat! Every item of clothing she puts on herself gets analyzed to death.
In my country, yes, black and dark red is associated with funerals. They only wear white if the person was really old when they died or the person died after a long illness. In this case, they are celebrating their death. At one funeral I went to a few months ago, one girl wore a navy blue dress and she got analyzed and talked about to death. She got many funny looks. So I can only imagine if someone there had shown up in a festive color. Where I'm from, black is associated with mourning and grieving. A widow is expected to wear black for at least 6 months after her husband died.
The color for grieving and what is acceptable or not is all cultural. My Indian friend told me that they hardly wear white at weddings, because in their culture, white is associated with funerals. And even that depends on which region of India you are talking about.
On a related note, Mrs. O looks so chic and I LOVE those shoes she has on.
RIP Ms. Dorothy Height (You reached great heights indeed)
We “MUST PRESERVE” her great work and such outstanding dignity, grace and style by keeping the torch burning. By that I mean, following in her footsteps and reaching out whenever and wherever we can make a difference, especially with the younger generation.
@Ms.M thanks for sharing your experience. I agree with what you said about wearing pants to church. I remember growing up,we were not allowed to wear too much lipstick and chandelier earings to church as they do today. It was considered “too worldly”
and in some churches people of the baby boomer and silent generation still do not accept it. (depending on the religion).
@Bea, The President is human, and it’s not unusual for people to be moved by speeches and eulogy, especially if they spoke about the time in history and obstacles that were faced. IMO Mrs. O expressed her feelings differently. But that’s just my two cents. It’s not written in stone.
In response to the President crying not only does it display his human side, you can also say that it shows his strenghth. If you go back and review the video the song that Bebe Winans was singing at that moment the words were "After you done all that you can you just stand, you don't give up no matter how hard you just stand".
First Lady Michelle Obama loves the President and knows her husband. Her reaction to that is not meant to be taken negativley, she "simply understands".
Powerful message, powerful President!
God Blesss Them Both
Nyen, you are doing the very thing you are admonishing Christen against "assuming." I don't pretend to know what was going on in Mrs. O's mind from her stare, but she did stare. This is at least the second time that speculation on her expression has been misconstrued (Remember the France ceremony and the look between her and Ms. Bruni). Maybe she could be a bit mindful of her expressions (from her close friends' advice) and how they can be misleading, since she is always under the glare of the media . And I love how President O is so in touch with is feelings.
I 'll let you in on a secret. My mother's funeral was videoed by my sister's partner. Around the time of the funeral she fell out with other members of the family including me. Long story, not worth talking about. However, in the midst of a very traumatic day, the cameraman managed to catch me with a smile on my face at my mother's graveside. My friends were trying to cheer me up and I responded by giving a big smile and the camera never forgave me.
My sister managed to show that footage to everyone who made time for her. She bleated on and on and on that I was insensitive and did not love our mother. It got so bad that it made the greiving process very painful for me.
Long story short - don't judge pictures because sometimes there is a lot going on that the viewer knows nothing about. I saw nothing untoward in how Michelle reacted to her husband's tears. None at all but there are others that will try and make a case out of nothing.
Nora why should she do that? she is a human being.people love to talk shit about her no matter what. you and christen are proof of that. people love to nitpick her as though she isn't a human to suit their already preconceived not of her. i will say she should keep on stepping as she as done thus far!
and i'm glad that Nyon takes christen to task over her rather silly comment!
RIP Ms. Height. She and we were blessed to live to see Mr. Obama get elected.
You know, I cannot think of one instance when I saw a photo or video of Mrs. O in a hat. Does anyone remember her wearing one?
I really don't think Mrs O would have been crucified for wearing a hat to the funeral of a woman known for her hats.
If people (ie the media) thought it was strange, surely by either looking at some of the other ladies at the funeral (who did wear hats) or by doing research to see that Dr Height always wore them, they would see that Mrs O would be doing it out of a sign of respect.
Also, Mrs O isn't shy about debuting 'new' looks, whether it is broaches or bright flats or belts, so I would be very suprised to see someone go on about her debuting a new look, no matter if it were a tribute or not.
Finally, it is my hope that everyone who had never heard of Dr Height before the funeral will research her life and see how important she was to the movement for the equality for women and minorities.
Like Michelle Obama, she is so much more than her clothes or hat.