Born in Kentucky in 1917, Dorothy came to Washington, D.C., in 1941 to work as one of the first African American typing clerks in the War Department, where many offices were still segregated.

After the war, she continued a lifetime of service as a social worker. Today she stays active in her church and in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and has authored books, including one about her husband, a World War II veteran. They were married for 73 years until his death.

For her service on the wartime home front, Dorothy was among the “Rosie the Riveters” collectively awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in April 2024. She attended the ceremony in Washington, D.C., honoring the women whose work helped sustain the nation during World War II.

Asked the secret to her longevity, Dorothy gave simple advice.

"Exercise, walking, and to be socializing," she told NBC Washington in December 2025. "I think that's the main thing to keep you going."

Source: https://www.nbcwashington.com/.../exercise-and.../4031907/

Watch Dorothy's oral history:

: Dorothy attended the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony honoring the Rosies in Washington, D.C., in April 2024. PHP photos.

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