Dorothy F. Bailey facts for kids

Dorothy F. Bailey is an important American leader from Prince George's County, Maryland. She worked on the county council for eight years, even leading it twice as chairman. She has also been a leader on the boards of many groups, like the National Council of Negro Women. Dorothy Bailey started the county's yearly Harlem Renaissance Festival in 1999. She also created several community groups. In 2014, she was honored by being added to the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame.

About Dorothy F. Bailey

Dorothy Bailey was born in Dunn, North Carolina. She first started working for civil rights (equal rights for all people) while studying at North Carolina Central University. She earned her degree in 1962. She continued her studies in education and gerontology (the study of aging) at other universities. At the start of her career, she taught in public schools. She also worked with the University of Maryland's Upward Bound program. This program helps students prepare for college.

From 1983 to 1994, she held important jobs in Prince George's County government. She was the executive director of the Consumer Protection Commission. This group helps protect people who buy things. She was also the community partnerships director at the Department of Family Services. In 1994, she was chosen to join the Prince George's County council. She worked on the council for eight years. She was the council chairman for two terms and vice chairman for three terms. After leaving the council, Bailey worked as a parent liaison for the Prince George's County Public Schools. This means she helped connect parents with the schools.

In 2001, Dorothy Bailey was chosen to be on the national executive council of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This group studies African American history. She also leads the Prince George's County chapter of ASALH. In 2002, she started the Harlem Remembrance Foundation of Prince George's County. She led its board from 2003 to 2011. This foundation holds the yearly Harlem Renaissance Festival. Dorothy Bailey thought of this festival to show the amazing art and culture from the Harlem Renaissance time. It also shows the work of local artists who continue this legacy. The festival brings in thousands of visitors each year. It features poetry, dance, visual art, and live jazz music. Famous people like actor Clifton Powell and jazz singer Jean Carne have performed there.

Dorothy Bailey also helped start several other non-profit groups. These include the LEARN Foundation and the Kiamsha Youth Empowerment Organization. She also helped create the Royal Bafokeng Sister City Friendship Committee. This committee helps build friendships between cities. She has also served on the national and local boards of the National Council of Negro Women. This group works to improve the lives of African American women and their families.

Awards and Honors

Dorothy F. Bailey has received many awards for her important work:

• She was added to the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.
• She received the Gladys Noon Spellman Award for Public Service.
• She won an NAACP Image Award for Political Activism in 1999.
• She received the National Council of Negro Women's Bethune Recognition Award.
• She was named North Carolina Central University's Alumnus of the Year in 2013.
• She was added to the Prince George's County Women's Hall of Fame in 1996.
• She received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Riverside Baptist College and Seminary in 1991.