Dr. Hazel Dukes has passed away, she was 92 years old.
Dr. Dukes was the President of the NAACP New York State Conference and a longtime civil rights activist. Former NY Governor Andrew Cuomo went on X (formerly known as Twitter) and said, “A great pioneer and warrior for social and racial justice, Hazel Dukes was my champion for as long as I can remember and close to all of us in the Cuomo family. America has lost one of the greats.”
Dr. Dukes’ son, Ronald, confirmed the passing of his mother. “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, at 92 years of age. Mom departed this life peacefully on the morning of March 1, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.”
He continued, “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. Funeral service details will be forthcoming. Kindly keep our family in your prayers.”
According to the NAACP’s website, Dr. Dukes was an “active and dynamic leader known for her unselfish and devoted track record for improving the quality of life in New York State.”
Throughout her life and career, Dr. Dukes has received many awards and honors. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York, and went on to complete post-graduate work at Queens College.
In 1990, she was awarded an Honorart Doctor of Laws Degree from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College. She was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn in 2009.
Dr. Dukes also had many organizational affiliations. She was the former President of the Metro-Manhattan Links Chapter and was a former trustee of the State University of New York and Stillman College. Dr. Dukes is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., and National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, INC.
Dr. Hazel Dukes has received the Ellis Honor Medal of Honor award, YWCA City of New York John La Farge Memorial Award for Interracial Justice, Guy R. Brewer Humanitarian Award, and the 2007 The Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business Award, member Ford Motor Company Funds Committee of Honor for Freedom’s Sisters, was honored and received a Proclamation at the New York City Council’s Third Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Awards ceremony at City Hall in New York.
She was also an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Northern Manhattan Alumnae Chapter.
Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement, “I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my true friend, sister, and friend 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.”
Dr. Hazel Dukes will be truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.