Hazel Dukes, a lifelong champion for civil rights and the president of the New York State NAACP, passed away on Saturday at the age of 92.
Her son, Ronald Dukes, confirmed that she died peacefully at home in New York City, surrounded by her loved ones.
For nearly fifty years, Dukes led the New York State NAACP, dedicating her life to advancing voting rights, economic equality, fair housing, and education. Even in her later years, she continued to advocate for justice, speaking out against police violence and pushing for improved healthcare in underserved areas, according to a statement from the NAACP’s New York State chapter.
In recognition of her dedication, Dukes was awarded the Spingarn Medal—NAACP’s most prestigious honor—in 2023. The award was presented by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During her acceptance speech, Dukes emphasized her unwavering commitment to the cause, declaring, “I’m not tired yet,” and vowing to continue empowering future leaders of the NAACP.
Dukes played a key role in paving the way for Black women in politics. In 1972, she took the stage at the Democratic National Convention to endorse Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to seek the party’s presidential nomination. She was also influential in former President Joe Biden’s decision to choose a Black woman as his running mate in the 2020 election. In a 2023 interview with CBS, Dukes reflected on her lifelong efforts, noting how they culminated in Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
Following Dukes’ passing, Harris paid tribute to her on X, acknowledging her as one of the trailblazers who made the current generation’s progress possible.
“I’m just so proud of Kamala,” Dukes said in her CBS interview. “It would be the greatest joy of my life to see this moment happen.”
Beyond her activism, Dukes was also the head of her own consulting firm and served on the NAACP’s National Board of Directors. The NAACP described her as a “living symbol” of the organization, stating that her work influenced every aspect of the civil rights movement.
In honor of her contributions, New York City Mayor Eric Adams directed flags to be lowered to half-staff.
