Hazel Dukes, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and former president of the NAACP’s New York chapter, has died at the age of 92, Bloomberg reports.
She passed away on March 1st at her home in New York City, according to a statement released by her son, Ronald Dukes, and reported by the Associated Press.
Dukes dedicated over seven decades of her life to campaigning for racial equality. For nearly 40 years, she held various leadership positions within the NAACP, most notably as the president of the organization’s New York Conference. Her commitment to activism often put her on the front lines, leading to her arrest at least six times during protests.
Born Hazel Nell Dukes on March 17, 1932, in Montgomery, Alabama, she grew up in the shadow of the burgeoning civil rights movement. Her family lived near Rosa Parks, who served as a mentor, taking her to Sunday school. This early exposure instilled in her a deep commitment to social justice.
Dukes joined the NAACP in the 1950s and rose through the ranks, becoming president of the New York chapter in 1977. She briefly served as national president from 1989 to 1992, before an internal dispute over term limits led to her departure from the national role.
Beyond her work with the NAACP, Dukes was a fixture in Democratic politics, serving as a delegate at numerous presidential conventions beginning in 1972. Known for her passionate and at times fiery demeanor, she was a strong voice for progressive causes.
In the mid-1950s, Dukes relocated to Long Island, New York, with her parents. She worked various jobs, including as a maid and at Macy’s, while pursuing higher education, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University. In 1963, she participated in the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 1966, she broke barriers by becoming the first Black person hired by the Nassau County Attorney’s Office.
Her career extended beyond activism. In the 1970s, she worked for the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation, eventually becoming a senior director. In 1990, then-Mayor David Dinkins appointed her head of the agency.
Dukes’ legacy was briefly marred by a 1997 guilty plea to grand larceny, stemming from accusations of misusing funds belonging to a former co-worker. While this led to a temporary removal from the NAACP board, she was quickly reinstated and re-elected as president of the New York chapter, a position she held until her passing.
In her later years, Dukes remained a powerful voice, supporting the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, advocating for improved public education, and participating in Black Lives Matter protests.
Even in her 90s, Dukes remained a keen observer of progress. In a 2022 speech, she expressed awe at witnessing Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the US Supreme Court, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for equality.
