Overcome: U.S. President Barack Obama wipes away tears during the funeral for the 'Godmother' of the civil rights movement Dorothy Height in Washington today
Respect: Mr Obama watches as Dr Height's coffin is carried into the cathedral
Changing the course of history: Dr Dorothy Height, left, in one of her characteristically colourful outfits, with her comrade-at-arms Rosa Parks
Tears streaming down his cheeks, grief overcame Barack Obama today as he attended the funeral of the woman he called the 'Godmother' of the American civil rights movement.
The U.S. president was weeping openly as he watched the service for Dorothy Height in Washington today.
He delivered the eulogy for Dr Height, whose activisim stretched from the New Deal right up until Mr Obama's election as the first African American president of the United States.
Dr Height died last week at 98 after a long illness. She was a pioneering voice of the civil rights movement who remained active and outspoken well into her 90s.
She often received rousing ovations at events around Washington, where she was easily recognisable in the bright, colourful hats she almost always wore.
Dr Height led the National Council of Negro Women for decades and marched with the Rev Martin Luther King Jr.
