By Jasper WardWASHINGTON (Reuters) – Hazel Dukes, a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and former President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), passed away at the age of 92 in her residence in New York City over the weekend.”Though she may have departed this world, her impact and influence are timeless,” affirmed NAACP officials in a unified statement.Dukes, a native of Alabama, relocated with her family to New York during the 1940s. Subsequent to the relocation, she actively engaged in advocating for racial equality in various domains such as healthcare, education, and housing, as highlighted by the NAACP. Dukes was subsequently tapped by then-U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson to contribute to his Head Start initiative, designed to address the developmental, emotional, social, nutritional, and psychological requirements of preschool-aged children hailing from low-income households.Succeeding Enolia McMillan, the pioneering female leader of the NAACP, as president in 1990, Dukes helmed the organization until 1992. At the time of her passing, she also held the role of president of the NAACP New York State Conference.Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton honored Dukes with the prestigious Spingarn Medal in 2023, recognizing her over seven decades of dedication to civil rights advocacy. “These 70 years have not been without challenges; they have been marked by pain, struggles, and adversity,” remarked Dukes after accepting the accolade. “Yet, the endeavors of those who blazed the trail stand as a poignant reminder that we must courageously confront racism and unwaveringly champion civil rights.”In 2020, Dukes achieved the distinction of being the first civilian in the United States to administer the oath of office to a governor, according to the NAACP. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who received this oath from Dukes, expressed her solidarity with the late civil rights luminary during her final moments.(Reporting by Jasper Ward, Editing by Franklin Paul)
