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CUNY SPH mourns the passing of Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, a pioneering civil rights leader and long-standing president of the New York State NAACP.
Dr. Dukes began her career fighting housing discrimination on Long Island and worked for President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Head Start program in the 1960s. She was the first Black employee at the Nassau County Attorney’s Office and later worked as a community organizer for the Nassau County Economic Opportunity Commission.
She served as the national president of the NAACP from 1990 to 1992 and led the New York State Conference of the NAACP from 1977 until her death. She was a fearless advocate for equal educational opportunities and played a significant role in developing early childhood education initiatives. Her leadership and advocacy extended to housing, voting rights, and healthcare access.
Dr. Dukes was a powerful figure in New York politics, advising governors like Mario Cuomo, Andrew Cuomo, and Kathy Hochul. She also worked closely with Mayor David Dinkins. Her influence extended to labor rights and public education reform.
“Dr. Dukes dedicated her life to championing equality, tirelessly working to improve public health and education within our communities,” says Dean Ayman El-Mohandes. “Her unwavering commitment to justice and empowerment has left an indelible mark on society. We honor her legacy and continue to be inspired by her relentless pursuit of a more equitable world.”
“Dr. Dukes was more than a civil rights icon—she was my mentor, my inspiration, and a force for justice,” says Freida D. Foster, chair of the CUNY SPH Dean’s Advisory Council. “Her legacy of courage, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to our communities will live on. Rest in power, Dr. Dukes. Your light will never fade.”
