Hazel Dukes, the president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP and a lifelong civil rights advocate, passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. She died peacefully at her New York City home, surrounded by her family, as confirmed by her son, Ronald Dukes.
Dukes dedicated nearly 50 years to leading the New York State NAACP, where she fought relentlessly for voting rights, fair housing, economic development, and education. Even into her 90s, she continued to speak out against police brutality and advocated for better healthcare in underserved communities.
In 2023, she was awarded the Spingarn Medal, the NAACP’s highest honor, by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During her acceptance speech, Dukes expressed her ongoing commitment to advocacy and empowering the next generation of NAACP leaders, declaring, “I’m not tired yet.”
Dukes was also a key figure in supporting Black women’s political leadership. In 1972, she seconded Shirley Chisholm’s presidential candidacy at the Democratic National Convention, making Chisholm the first Black woman to run for the party’s nomination. Dukes played an important role in influencing former President Joe Biden’s decision to select a Black woman as his 2020 running mate, a choice that eventually led to Kamala Harris becoming vice president. Dukes reflected on her legacy with pride in a 2024 interview, noting how fulfilling it would be to see Harris’s political success.
Dukes ran her own consulting firm and was a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. The NAACP leadership described her as a “living embodiment” of the organization, and her legacy has had a profound impact on its mission.
In recognition of her contributions, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in her honor.