Doris Morrell Leader, 89, of York, died at home on Monday, September 10, 2012. Dorrie was born in Oak Park, Ill., on February 15, 1923, to Jacque Cyrus and Mildred (Newmark) Morrell. She graduated from Oak Park High School, then received her B.A. in English from Swarthmore College and her M.A. in Guidance from Syracuse University. Dorrie made York her home in 1947 when her husband, Henry Leader, returned to practice law. As a young mother in the early 1950s, Dorrie received a visit from a group of older, well turned out ladies who told her that they wanted her to become the president of the York YWCA. This led to her work for the YW locally and on the national level. She was a member of the National Board of the YWCA from 1958 to 1976 and served as a vice-president. She later served on its World Service Council and was made an honorary member of the National Board. Locally, Dorrie served most recently on the YWCA of York's Board of Advisors. She was deeply honored in 1995 when the York YW created the annual Dorrie Leader Volunteer Advocacy Award. The National YWCA's 1970 resolution adopting "one imperative: to thrust our collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary" put a name to the work Dorrie had begun at the local and state level many years earlier. Her most visible work in the field of civil rights was as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, where she served for 14 years, 12 as vice-chair. She counted as one of the most memorable experiences of her life her participation in the 1963 March on Washington, where she and her two oldest daughters joined hundreds of thousands who heard Dr. Martin Luther King give his "I Have a Dream" speech. But along the way, Dorrie did so much more than this for the cause that led to her inclusion in the three-panel mural, "Civil Rights Leaders - Barrier Breakers" in York. She worked on two York County Human Rights Audits and on educating many in the county about its results and implications. She strongly supported and helped to draft the ordinance creating the York City Human Relations Commission. She was a board member and officer of the Community Progress Council and of Crispus Attucks, and served on the York County Advisory Council to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which in turn caused the Commission to conduct an "Investigatory Hearing into the Causes of Racial Tension in York." Dorrie also served on the York County Heritage Trust, chairing the education committee's Underground Railroad Task Force, and participating in the African-American focus group. In 2003, when she was an honoree at York's African-American Love-Fest, Dorrie wrote, "My efforts were initially directed primarily toward the achievement of racial justice But I have learned that, as a woman I could only be as effective as current attitudes toward women permitted, and so I have worked, too, towards the empowerment of women. Then, as my awareness evolved, I have become more deeply involved in a broader range of anti-bias concerns, including anti-Semitism, homophobia and issues regarding early childhood education." She served on the boards of the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, York Planned Parenthood, the Children's Home of York, Family Services of York, and more. Dorrie was passionate about securing an excellent education and opportunities for public school students, particularly York City's schools. She served for two terms as a Director on the York City School Board, including two years as President, and, with Henry, her husband and partner of 66 years, served on the board of York City Dollars for Scholars. The York County Community Foundation raised over $80,000 for York City Dollars for Scholars and honored Dorrie and Henry with the named fund: "Henry and Dorrie Leader Education Endowment (2007). Leave A Legacy.®" In 1990, Governor Casey named Dorrie a "Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania" for "Volunteer work on behalf of the less fortunate and moral commitment to the improvement of human rights." She received the American Association of University Women Legacy Award, the NAACP Freedom Award, a York City Human Relations Commission award, the York YWCA "women who made a difference" award, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Pennsylvanian award, and The Chapel of the Four Chaplains, Legion of Honor. Other recognitions have come from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Martin Library, the Pennsylvania Parent Teacher Association, which made her a life member, and "Who's Who of American Women," for which she was a charter biographee. She and Henry were honored with the City of York Community Service Award and the Exchange Club of York Golden Deeds Award. Their service to their alma mater, including through the Swarthmore Alumni Council, led to the Joseph Shane Award. Dorrie was a proud member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York for over 50 years. For over 60 years, she continued the tradition of sending, to an enormous list of recipients, the Leader family Christmas card, complete with family photo, four angels hand drawn by Dorrie to depict her daughters, and always including a carefully selected, timely, thought-provoking quotation. She was an avid reader, an exceptional writer, and a wonderful cook who made sure the family ate dinner together every night. Until very recently, she could complete the daily New York Times Crossword Puzzle. Many of us, including her wonderful caregivers, can attest that our grammar and vocabulary improved with Dorrie's help! Dorrie also passed her love of the ocean to her children and grandchildren, although most have never gotten up before dawn to collect one perfect seashell after another. She is survived and greatly missed by her deeply devoted husband, Henry; her four daughters and their families: Martha Leader and Landon Rose of Brookline, Mass., and grandson. Gabriel Leader-Rose of Boston; Libby Leader and Libby Hill of Washington, D.C., and granddaughter. Addie Leader-Zavos of Boston; Emily Leader and Henry F. Hain, III of Harrisburg, and granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Amaya and Chris Bassett of Takoma Park, Md., and Julie and Andy Leader-Smith of Jenkintown, Pa., and grandsons, Alex Leader-Smith of Philadelphia and Adam Leader-Smith of Northampton, Mass.. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Maggie Morrell, and their daughter and son-in-law, Molly and Jimmy Orr of Michigan; her brother-in-law, former Governor George M. Leader, and the large Leader clan. Visitation with the family will be held 6 to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2012, at Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 S. George St., York (the former Hahn Home). A memorial service honoring Dorrie's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York, 925 S. George St., York, with her pastor, The Rev. Robert F. Renjilian, officiating. A reception with the family will follow the services at the Yorktowne Hotel, 48 E. Market St., York.

Private burial will be at Salem Union Cemetery, Jacobus.

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on September 13, 2012