Dorothy Hornby

Dorothy Elizabeth Phillips Hornby: Feminist, Activist, and Advocate

Dorothy Elizabeth Phillips Hornby is recognized for her exceptional dedication to equal rights, community activism, and a lifetime commitment to cooperative leadership. Her path, marked by personal challenges, educational achievement, and profound resilience, stands as an inspiration for current and future generations of women.

A Foundation Built on Professional Resilience: Born in Bedford, Massachusetts in 1945, Dorothy Elizabeth was the youngest of three children. Her life and feminist values were deeply inspired by her mother, Dorothy Louise Phillips, who lived "light years ahead of her time." In 1949, Dorothy Louise made the courageous, independent choice to move her three young children from Bedford, Massachusetts, to Tucson, Arizona where she worked at Hughes Aircraft—rising from line staff to become the Manager of Blue Print Control (the highest-paid woman in the company at the time)—her parents eventually reunited in Tucson, living together until her mother's death.

Following her mother’s example of professional success and independence, Dorothy prioritized her own education and career while raising her family. She earned an Associate Degree in Computer Science (Pima Community College, 1982) and a Bachelor of Science in Management (University of Phoenix, 1988). Her professional career culminated in a significant role as IT Director for the Pima County Superior Court (1985–1998) before she successfully transitioned to a career in wellness as a Massage Therapist (1993–2018).

The Path to Activism: Finding Her Voice in NOW

Dorothy's commitment to social change was powerfully ignited when she joined a National Organization for Women (NOW) consciousness-raising group. This pivotal experience, facilitated by Marcia Neimann (whose brick is placed next to Dorothy's in this plaza), was instrumental in helping her find her political voice and solidified her lifelong mission to eliminate sexism and racism through cooperative leadership.

Throughout the 1980s, Dorothy became a visible, powerful, and politically active feminist leader in NOW:
• Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Missionary (1982): A dedicated advocate, she traveled extensively—to the Salt Lake City Mormon Temple Rally, Oklahoma, and Washington D.C.—to fight tirelessly for the ratification of the ERA.
• Political Organizing and Leadership: She served on the Tucson NOW Board, worked as a Pima County Deputy Registrar for the Women’s Vote Project, and participated in countless local and state actions, including walkathons, pickets, phone banks, and fundraisers.
• Community Recognition: Her active feminist role and leadership earned her a nomination for the YWCA "Women On The Move" in 1985.

Dorothy Hornby's life is a powerful testament to the idea that a woman's strength is multifaceted—found equally in professional excellence, political action, and profound creative resilience. Her enduring legacy is an unwavering commitment to social justice, ensuring that the next generation enjoys the equity, independence, and opportunity her mother, and she, worked so hard to achieve.