Remembering Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, A Matriarch of the Civil Rights Movement

Dr. Hazel N. Dukes—a fierce advocate for civil rights and a fixture within the Uptown community—passed away on March 1, 2025, at 92. Dukes, a longtime Lenox Terrace resident, leaves behind a legacy built on the pillars of equality and empowerment.

Coming of age amid the throes of the Jim Crow era in Montgomery, Alabama, propelled her to pursue a path in activism. Throughout her storied career, she sat at the helm of organizations dedicated to social justice, including serving as the national president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People—the longest-standing and largest civil rights organization in the United States—between 1990 and 1992, and leading the nonprofit’s New York State conference from 1977 until her passing. The Adelphi University alumna’s journey was one of many barrier-breaking moments, including becoming the Nassau County Democratic Committee’s first Black vice chairwoman.

Dukes’ advocacy knew no bounds. Her presence was felt on the front lines fighting for equity in education, housing equality, voting rights, and criminal justice reform. She was also influential within New York’s political sphere, serving as a voice of counsel for several elected officials, from former NYC Mayor David Dinkins to New York governors Mario Cuomo and Kathy Hochul.

While she made an indelible mark nationally, her dedication to grassroots community organizing shaped the neighborhood of Harlem. She served on Manhattan Community Board 10 until February 2024. 

After what would have been the trailblazer’s 93rd birthday (March 17), Columbia University joins the individuals and institutions she touched in celebrating her life and legacy. Here are a few community reflections: