Hazel Dukes, New York civil rights leader, dies at 92
Dr. Hazel Dukes, an iconic civil rights leader and president of the NAACP New York State Conference, has died at age 92.
Dukes died peacefully Saturday morning, Ronald Dukes, her son, said in a statement to CBS News New York.
"Mom was a committed civil rights leader in New York City and the nation and worked tirelessly on the frontlines almost to the end. We find comfort in knowing that while she's no longer with us physically, but resting in the bosom of Jesus," his statement said.
Dukes' family says funeral service plans are soon to be announced.
A trailblazing civil rights leader in New York
Dukes was better known as "Queen Mother" or "Ma Dukes" to advocates who have followed in the path of advocacy she blazed in her more than seven decades in civil rights activism.
She was born in Montgomery, Alabama – the birthplace of the civil rights movement – then moved to Roslyn in North Hempstead, Long Island in 1956, where she advocated for housing equity and became the first Black woman to work for the Nassau County attorney's office.
"My dad was really a civil rights advocate without knowing it. He was always talking about things that was not right," Dukes said in an interview with CUNY in 2018.
She was one of few women to serve as national president of the NAACP and presided over its New York Conference starting in 1977. The organization says, "Despite her many titles and distinctions, she often described herself simply as a servant of the people."
Dukes served as national president of the NAACP in 1989, but lost reelection in the '90s after pleading guilty to embezzling money from the bank account of Velma McLaughlin, a woman who suffered from leukemia who had given Dukes power of attorney. Dukes valiantly defended herself.
"I'm still worthy of all the things that I've done and I am doing," Dukes said at the time.
She was then removed from the NAACP's national board of directors, but in 1999, became president of the NAACP's New York State Conference.
Dukes was active in politics until her death, supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and administering the oath of office to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the first woman elected governor of New York, in 2023.
One of Dukes' last public appearances was in September 2024, when she shouted down hecklers while announcing her support for New York City Mayor Eric Adams through his indictment on federal corruption charges.
Activists like Jamie Bland, with NAN, say it's almost providential that Dukes died on the first day of Women's History Month.
"She was NAACP," Bland said, "and she will always be here in spirit."
SUNY awards the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship each year to a student who embodies the values that defined her life and career.
Hazel Dukes remembered across New York
There was an outpouring of tributes from lawmakers, activists and other public figures throughout the day Saturday.
Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, knew Dukes for over 40 years and called her a "true friend" and "sister."
"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. She was weak and somewhat conclusive that her work was done," Sharpton said. "We will never have another Hazel Dukes, but I am grateful that we had this one."
Sharpton said Dukes would often come to NAN's House of Justice, sometimes even unannounced.
"She came here a couple of months ago. She had a walker, and I never saw her in a walker, and she had a nurse with her," he said. "There will always be a missing seat for Hazel Dukes."
"For over 40 years, Ma Dukes has been an unwavering presence in my life — a trusted advisor, a cherished friend, and a guiding light during some of my most challenging times. Ma Dukes was a true trailblazer who dedicated her life to uplifting our community. As the longtime leader of the NAACP New York State Conference, she fought tirelessly for civil rights, education equity, and economic justice. Her fearless advocacy opened doors for countless New Yorkers — including myself — and helped shape our city and state into what it is today," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement. "Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and the changes she helped create in our city and our nation. New York City has lost a giant, but heaven has gained a warrior."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed state flags to be lowered at half staff.
"The leadership, courage and bravery of Hazel Dukes transformed New York for the better," Hochul said in a statement. "Her unwavering commitment to the fight for civil rights transformed lives and uplifted our communities. New York is forever indebted to her for the courage, strength, and love she brought to every battle."
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also issued a statement ordering flags to be lowered in her honor.
"Our sincere condolences to the family of longtime Nassau resident Hazel Dukes. Hazel Dukes was an internationally known Civil Rights leader and held important positions in Nassau County Government. I am ordering flags in Nassau County to be lowered to half staff starting Monday March 3rd until burial as a memorial to a great leader," Blakeman said.
"She has fought hard, and now she gets her rest, but she'll never be forgotten in our community or in our nation," Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs said.
