Hazel Dukes, the president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP, passed away at the age of 92 at her home in New York City surrounded by family. Dukes had been a lifelong civil rights advocate, fighting for voting rights, economic development, fair housing, and education throughout her nearly five-decade-long leadership of the NAACP. She continued her advocacy work into her 90s, speaking out against police brutality and advocating for adequate health care in underserved communities.
Dukes received the NAACP’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, in 2023. She played a key role in paving the way for Black women to attain high political office, having supported Shirley Chisholm’s presidential candidacy at the Democratic National Convention in 1972. Dukes was also influential in Joe Biden’s decision to choose a Black woman as his running mate in 2020, which ultimately led to Kamala Harris becoming vice president.
Harris, in a tribute to Dukes, referred to her as one of the heroes on whose shoulders current leaders stand. Dukes expressed pride in Harris’s accomplishments and had hoped to see her run for president in 2024. Dukes also had her own consulting firm and was a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. Her legacy was described as touching every aspect of the civil rights movement, and flags were lowered at half-staff in New York City in her honor.
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