Hazel Dukes, the esteemed president of the New York State chapter of the NAACP and a lifelong advocate for civil rights, passed away on Saturday at the age of 92. Her son, Ronald Dukes, reported that she died peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by family.

Throughout her extraordinary career, Dukes led the New York State NAACP for nearly five decades, vigorously fighting for critical issues such as voting rights, economic development, fair housing, and educational equity. Even into her 90s, Dukes remained a vocal critic of police brutality and an advocate for adequate healthcare in underserved communities, as highlighted by the NAACP's New York State chapter in their statement following her death.

In 2023, Dukes received the NAACP’s highest honor, the Spingarn Medal, presented to her by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. During her acceptance speech for the award, Dukes stated, “I’m not tired yet,” expressing her commitment to continue her advocacy and empower the next generation of NAACP leaders.

Dukes also played a pivotal role in paving the way for Black women to achieve roles in the nation's highest offices. In 1972, she stood on the stage at the Democratic National Convention to second the presidential candidacy of Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman to run for the party’s nomination. Reflecting on her career, Dukes noted that she was instrumental in influencing former President Joe Biden's choice to select a Black woman, Kamala Harris, as his running mate in the 2020 election. Her lifelong dedication to civil rights found a poignant full circle with Harris’s candidacy for the presidency in 2024.

Following Dukes' passing, Harris posted a tribute on social media, describing Dukes as one of the heroes "upon whose broad shoulders we stand." Dukes expressed immense pride in Harris, stating in a CBS interview, “I’m just proud of Kamala. I’m just excited if I can live to see this happen. It would be the joy of my life.”

In addition to her long tenure with the NAACP, Dukes was the president of her own consulting firm and served as a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. NAACP leaders described Dukes as a “living embodiment” of the organization, affirming that her legacy has made a significant impact on every aspect of the movement for civil rights.

In a gesture of respect, New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff in tribute to Dukes and her remarkable contributions to the fight for equality and justice.