Dorothy Hollingsworth spent nearly a century advocating for women, children, families, education, housing, and economic opportunities. As a leader in civil rights and public service, she dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, particularly those who faced systemic barriers to success. Though she stood just 5 feet 2 inches tall, her presence and influence were immense. Known for her unwavering commitment to social justice, she became a role model to countless young people who saw in her a tireless advocate for equity and opportunity.
Born on October 29, 1920, in Bishopville, South Carolina, Dorothy Lee Thomas Hollingsworth was the eldest of three children. Her family later moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in search of better opportunities. Tragedy struck early in her life when her sister passed away at 14 from pneumonia and her brother died from injuries sustained in World War II. Despite these losses, Hollingsworth remained determined to uplift those around her. She discovered her passion for social work in eighth grade after learning about the field at a job fair and decided early on that her life’s work would be to help others.
Hollingsworth pursued higher education at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, where she was awarded a scholarship from missionaries. She graduated in 1941 with degrees in social science and education and immediately began her career as a third-grade teacher. In 1946, she and her husband, Raft Hollingsworth, moved to Seattle to be closer to his mother and to escape the racial injustices of the Jim Crow South. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Jacqueline, followed by their son, Raft Jr. As her children became more independent, Hollingsworth became deeply involved in community organizations, including the Seattle Madison Branch YMCA, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, the NAACP, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She also formed supper and bridge clubs with family friends as a way to create social spaces for Black families who were often excluded from public establishments due to segregation.
In 1950, Hollingsworth began working as an investigator for the Washington State Department of Welfare, a role that took her across the state and exposed her to the realities of economic and social inequalities. Committed to continuous learning, she enrolled at the University of Washington and, in 1959, earned her master’s degree in social work. This led to her position as a social worker for Seattle Public Schools, where she worked to address the needs of children and families facing economic hardship and educational disparities.
During the early 1960s, Hollingsworth became an active figure in the civil rights movement, advocating for open housing policies and equitable education in Seattle. Her leadership and reputation as a champion for social change led to her appointment in 1965 as the Director of Head Start in Washington State, part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society initiative aimed at combating poverty. Her effectiveness in the role gained national attention, and she was later appointed to the National Advisory Board for Sesame Street, an innovative educational television program designed to support early childhood learning.
Hollingsworth continued to expand her influence in public service when, from 1969 to 1971, she served as Deputy Director of Planning for the Model Cities Program, a federal initiative designed to improve urban communities through education, economic development, and social services. She later became Associate Director of Project Planning, overseeing more than 45 programs in areas such as job training, the arts, healthcare, welfare, and legal aid. In 1975, when the program ended, she became Director of Seattle’s Early Childhood Education programs, helping to establish daycare facilities and expand access to early learning programs across the city. That same year, she made history by becoming the first African American woman elected to the Seattle School Board. She served for six years and became board president in 1979, helping to navigate the district through a period of racial tensions following the desegregation of Seattle schools.
In the early 1980s, Hollingsworth was appointed Deputy Director of Seattle’s Department of Human Resources, where she continued her efforts to improve social services and community programs. In 1984, she was elected to the Washington State Board of Education as the representative from the 7th District, serving until her retirement in 1993. Even in retirement, she remained engaged in education, serving as a board trustee for Seattle Community Colleges. In recognition of her lifelong contributions to education and social justice, the Evergreen School District named Hollingsworth Academy in her honor in 2021.
Throughout her career, Hollingsworth received numerous accolades for her leadership and dedication to public service. Among her many honors were the Matrix Table Award (1976), the Edwin T. Pratt Award (1986), Nordstrom’s Cultural Diversity Award (1992), and the Isabel Colman Pierce Award (1994). In 2010, she was recognized by the University of Washington Women’s Center on the 100th anniversary of female suffrage, highlighting her contributions to gender and racial equality.
Dorothy Hollingsworth’s legacy as a trailblazer in education, civil rights, and public service continues to inspire future generations. Her lifelong dedication to advocacy and community empowerment set a precedent for leadership that has left a lasting impact on Seattle, Washington State, and beyond.
Source: Seattle Medium
