Center for Women's Health Research

Famed Civil Rights Icon, Dorothy I. Height, scheduled to present Meharry Vision Award in Women’s Health during April 7 Benefit Concert

Lorraine Cole, Ph.D., head of women’s health imperative, second recipient of prestigious award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dorothy I. Height, the famed Civil and Human Rights icon who’s remained vigilant and visible in social-justice issues well into her 90s, is scheduled to personally present this year’s Meharry Medical College Vision Award in Women’s Health, which bears her name.

Established last year, The Dorothy I. Height Vision Award in Women’s Health is awarded annually by the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry to a person who has distinguished herself or himself in areas that substantially enhance the health status of women of color in America. The recipient is chosen by a national committee convened by the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry. The first recipient of the award was Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., director of the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health, who received the award last year.

Lorraine Cole, Ph.D., has been selected as the 2006 recipient of the Vision Award in Women’s Health. Cole is a nationally recognized health advocate, advancing the health needs of minority and underserved populations. She is president and chief executive officer of the Black Women’s Health Imperative— formerly the National Black Women’s Health Project—the only national organization solely dedicated to ensuring optimum health for Black women across their life span. Cole is the former executive director of the National Medical Association, the national organization representing African American physicians.

Height is scheduled to present the award to Cole on April 7 at Meharry’s Second Annual Benefit Concert for Women’s Health, a fund-raiser supporting the Center for Women’s Health Research at Meharry. The benefit concert, featuring Grammy-winners Roberta Flack and Yolanda Adams, begins at 8 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium.

“We are absolutely indebted to Dorothy Height for her tenacious courage and tireless quest for social and racial parity in this country and across the world,” said Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, dean of the School of Medicine at Meharry and director of its Center for Women’s Health Research.

“We are honored that she will be able to personally present the Vision Award that bears her name to Dr. Cole, a person who continues to affect tremendous change in the health status of women of color.”