Hazel Dukes, prominent NY civil rights activist, dies at 92
Dukes was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, where she endured Jim Crow segregation.
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Hazel Dukes, a prominent New York civil rights activist who spent her life fighting discrimination, has died at age 92.
She became president of the NAACP New York State Conference in 1989.
“I know what it feels to be denied,” Dukes told the Associated Press. She was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, where she endured Jim Crow segregation.
“Dr. Dukes is a woman of great strength and courage. Her dedication to human rights and equality is exemplified by her role linking business, government and social causes,” according to a bio on the NAACP site.
Dukes moved to Long Island in the 1950s and was the first African American resident of the Roslyn Gardens apartment complex.
Tributes have started pouring in on social media.
News 12 reached out to the NAACP for a statement.
Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, released a statement:
“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my true friend and sister for more than 40 years, Hazel Dukes. She was a force of nature for justice and an activist of the highest order. She made a difference, and we will forever be indebted to her. I spoke to her by phone just two days ago. We will never have another Hazel Dukes, but I am grateful that we had this one.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul directed all state flags to be lowered at half staff in honor of Dukes.
