Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, a longtime civil rights activist and president of the NAACP New York State Conference, died at the age of 92. Her son announced her passing in a statement, noting that she died peacefully on Saturday, March 1st, surrounded by family.
Dukes was a prominent figure in the fight for racial and social justice, dedicating her life to advocacy and public service. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1932, she grew up in the segregated South before moving to New York in the 1950s. She became the first Black person to hold a position in the Nassau County Attorney’s Office and later took on leadership roles in community organizing and government initiatives. In 1989, she was elected president of the NAACP New York State Conference, a position she held for decades.
Dukes was a close adviser to political leaders and a mentor to generations of activists throughout her career. She received numerous awards, including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and a New York City Council proclamation in honor of her lifelong work. In 2021, she made history as the first civilian to administer the oath of office to a New York governor, swearing in Governor Kathy Hochul.
Following news of her passing, tributes poured in. New York Attorney General Letitia James called Dukes “a legend who fought for justice every day.” Former Governor Andrew Cuomo described her as “a great pioneer and warrior for social and racial justice.”
Mayor Eric Adams, who considered Dukes a mentor, ordered flags across the city to be lowered to half-staff in her honor. “Ma Dukes was a true trailblazer who dedicated her life to uplifting our community,” Adams said. “Her fearless advocacy opened doors for countless New Yorkers — including myself — and helped shape our city and state into what it is today.”
Reverend Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, also shared his grief, calling Dukes “a force of nature for justice” and recalling a recent phone call with her just days before her passing.
