Hazel Dukes, a towering figure in the fight for civil rights and the longtime president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP, has died at the age of 92.
Dukes passed away peacefully at her New York City home on Saturday, March 1, 2025, surrounded by her family, according to a statement from her son, Ronald Dukes, CNN reports.
Dukes was a relentless advocate for voting rights, economic equity, fair housing, and education for nearly five decades. Even in her 90s, she remained a powerful voice against police brutality and fought for improved healthcare access in underserved communities.
In recognition of her lifelong contributions, the NAACP awarded Dukes its highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, in 2023, presented by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
During her acceptance speech, Dukes reaffirmed her commitment to advocacy, declaring, “I’m not tired yet.”
Dukes played a pivotal role in shaping Black political leadership in America. She was a key supporter of Shirley Chisholm’s historic 1972 presidential bid and later advised on Joe Biden’s selection of a Black woman as his running mate in 2020.
In a CBS interview last year, Dukes expressed her pride in Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently launched her own presidential campaign.
On Saturday, Harris honored Dukes in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), calling her one of the heroes “upon whose broad shoulders we stand.”
Beyond her activism, Dukes was a business leader, heading her own consulting firm and serving on the NAACP National Board of Directors. NAACP leaders described her as a “living embodiment” of the organization, whose work influenced every aspect of the civil rights movement.
As a tribute to Dukes’ extraordinary legacy, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff.
