Civil Rights icon Hazel Dukes, the NAACP’s New York State Convention president, has died. She was 92.
Hazel N. Dukes (C), president of New York State Convention of NAACP branches, and different protesters march down the road in direction of Holland Tunnel throughout an indication on Might 7, 2008 in New York Metropolis, after the acquittal of three New York Metropolis Cops within the Sean Bell capturing trial. (Photograph by Hiroko Masuike / Getty Pictures)
Her demise saddened native elected officers and group activists who labored with Dukes over time.
“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,” former Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote on X. “America has lost one of the greats.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton stated he had simply spoken to Dukes, who he described as a “true friend” on Thursday.
Hazel Dukes speaks throughout a discussion board on the New York Every day Information Constructing in Manhattan on Sept. 25, 1991. (Invoice Turnbull / New York Every day Information)
“She was a force of nature for justice and an activist of the highest order,” Sharpton stated in a press release. “She made a difference, and we will forever be indebted to her.”
“We will never have another Hazel Dukes, but I am grateful that we had this one,” he stated.
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