The Dorothy Height Papers consist of .75 linear ft. and are primarily related to her work with the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), dating from 1937 to 2005. Types of materials include biographical materials, files related to awards and honors received by Height, clippings, correspondence, speeches, photographs, negatives, press releases, and writings. The papers appear to be a reference file compiled by YWCA of the U.S.A. archives staff from YWCA records and other sources.

The extensive clippings and press releases provide good summary information about Height's later work for the NCNW and YWCA, particularly her work for women's rights and against white racism. The bulk of the materials cover the period between the late 1950s and the mid 1970s.

There is a large file of planning and documentation for the Dorothy I. Height Tribute Dinner sponsored by the NCNW and the YWCA on November 5, 1986. Among the Tribute Dinner materials is the contents of a Memorial Book containing letters of appreciation to Height from, among others, Ronald Reagan, Lady Bird Johnson, Rosalyn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Faye Wattleton, Helen Wilkins Claytor, the heads of major religious and civil rights organizations, and many of Height's YWCA co-workers.