Obama honors Dorothy Height as leader of civil rights era at National Cathedral funeral

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Obama salutes Dorothy Height’s place in history

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says civil rights icon Dorothy Height lived a righteous life that changed the country for the better.

Obama spoke Thursday during a funeral service for the fallen civil rights leader at Washington National Cathedral.

Height led the National Council of Negro Women for decades and marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. She died last week at age 98.

Obama praised Height for contributing to civil rights advances, sometimes at personal risk. He said she “deserves a place” in our history books and America’s memory,

Obama spoke of the environment in which Height was raised, where lynching was still commonplace and many black people were denied opportunity.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of mourners are filing into the Washington National Cathedral to honor the late Dorothy Height, a matriarch of the civil rights movement.

President Barack Obama will give the eulogy at the funeral Thursday morning. Poet Maya Angelou will offer a reading, BeBe Winans will sing, and Camille Cosby will offer a tribute.

Attendees at the public funeral include Washington’s powerful and others who boarded trains at 3 a.m. to take part.

Some of the women arriving at the cathedral are wearing bright hats like Height used to wear.

Leaders from Congress will share the front row with the president. Several officials from Obama’s cabinet also will attend. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele is also expected to attend.