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Hazel Dukes, the longtime president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP and a trailblazing civil rights advocate, passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. Dukes, who spent nearly five decades fighting for racial justice, died peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by family, her son Ronald Dukes confirmed in a statement.
“Hers was a life dedicated to service, to justice, and to the relentless pursuit of equality,” the NAACP’s New York State chapter said in a tribute.
A Lifetime of Fighting for Justice
Dukes dedicated her life to civil rights, focusing on voting rights, fair housing, economic development, and education reform. Even in her 90s, she remained vocal against police brutality and fought for better healthcare access in underserved communities.
Her decades-long work was recognized in 2023 when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton awarded her the NAACP’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal. “I’m not tired yet,” Dukes said during her acceptance speech. “My work continues, and I will empower the next generation of leaders.”
A Pioneering Force for Black Women in Politics
Dukes played a crucial role in opening doors for Black women in politics. In 1972, she took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to second the historic presidential candidacy of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to seek the Democratic nomination.
Her influence stretched to the highest levels of government. She was a key advocate in former President Joe Biden’s decision to select a Black woman as his running mate in 2020. Vice President Kamala Harris, now a presidential candidate for 2024, credited Dukes as a foundational figure in the movement that helped elevate Black women in politics.
“Hazel Dukes was one of the heroes upon whose broad shoulders we stand,” Harris wrote in a tribute on X.
Dukes, in a 2023 interview with CBS, expressed joy at Harris’ historic achievements. “I’m just proud of Kamala. If I can live to see this happen, it would be the joy of my life,” she said.
A Lasting Impact on the NAACP and Beyond
Beyond her activism, Dukes was the president of her own consulting firm and served on the NAACP National Board of Directors. NAACP leaders called her a “living embodiment” of the organization and said her work touched every corner of the civil rights movement.
As a tribute to her lifelong dedication, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff.
Hazel Dukes’ legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the progress she fought for, ensuring that future generations continue the work she so passionately championed.
