Hazel Dukes: Civil Rights Shero

By Fern Gillespie
At this year’s New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the State University of New York Black Leadership Institute will establish the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship. It will name one exceptional individual from each cohort in honor of Dr. Hazel Dukes, a former SUNY Board of Trustees member.
Dukes is a Civil Rights icon. When Dr. Hazel Dukes speaks out for racial justice and human rights, New York’s governors, mayors, senators, and congressional members listen. For over 50 years, the 91-year-old activist, educator, and organizer has held New York and national NAACP offices, from her long-term role as President of the New York State chapter to being a national NAACP Board Member to being the national NAACP President in 1989. Last year, she was awarded the historic NAACP Spingarn Medal for her legendary impact on Civil Rights.

Established in 1914 by Joel E. Spingarn, Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors, the prestigious Spingarn Medal is considered the highest or noblest achievement by a living African American in any honorable field. Some of the previous Spingarn Medal honorees include Dr. Charles Drew, Cicely Tyson, Earl G. Graves Sr., George Washington Carver, Harry Belafonte, Jackie Robinson, Jesse L. Jackson, Lena Horne, James Earl Jones, Gordon Parks, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr., Myrlie Evers-Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier, and W.E.B. DuBois.
“Dr. Dukes is a woman of profound strength and courage, who has served as an unwavering pillar in our community for more than fifty years,” announced Derrick Johnson, NAACP President & CEO. “Led by her fierce determination, she has improved the lives of countless Black Americans and New Yorkers while bringing about lasting change that will be felt in the Black community for generations to come.”
For Dr. Dukes, learning about the Spingarn Medal honor was an unforgettable experience. “I was absolutely excited and stunned. When you look at the history of the men and women who have received that award, to get into that company was just thrilling,” she told Our Time Press. “I couldn’t be more excited and proud of my accomplishments in the NAACP over the decades.”
The Spingarn Medal was presented to Dr. Dukes at the NAACP 2023 Convention by her friend and colleague Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, New York Senator, and Secretary of State. She had known the Clintons since he served as Arkansas governor. Their friendship grew through Bill Clinton’s presidency, persuading New Yorkers to support Hillary Clinton as a New York Senator, and assisting in Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
“I’ve built a friendship with Hillary over the years. So, when they asked who I wanted, the first person that came to my mind was Hillary. Her office told me that the Secretary of State really wanted to do this,” Dr. Dukes recalled. The whole place was excited. That was the largest attendance of anybody receiving the Spingarn—even Colin Powell. I had Deltas, Links, and church people. They all came. It was some sight to see.”
Dr. Dukes was born in 1932 in Montgomery, Alabama, during Jim Crow. She attended Alabama State Teachers College and later moved to New York, earning a degree from Adelphi University. She continues to be disturbed by the racist politics practiced by conservatives. “I am saddened to see what former President Donald Trump is doing to this country. The division and the kind of things that he is saying to divide this country further,” she said. “What kind of a person has risen to President of the United States of America and just spits venom and hatred every day all day? In this country, it is not just black and white; it is America. It’s a democracy that we’ve got to fight to save.”

“I don’t remember the division being as open as it is now. So, all of us who care about America and democracy have to go out and vote so our voice can be heard and we can get these people out of office. Get people who have compassion and care about America. It’s the opportunity for people who want to live in harmony,” she said. “Every time the NAACP won a victory, it wasn’t just for Black folks. It was for America. You look at all the fights we’ve won. Everyone was included in it.”
In addition to the SUNY award announcement, Governor Hochul also shared that the next SUNY portrait competition will be held in honor of Dr. Dukes, and the winning portrait will be displayed in the H. Carl McCall SUNY building in Albany in recognition of her service.
“A lot of my work has been for education. My grandmother, who only went to the eighth grade, would point to my head and say to me, ‘If you get it up here, regardless of what they call you or say about you, can defend yourself,’” she said.
“I’ve always looked at Education as a way for people to get out of poverty and be able to stand and defend what they believe in. So, this is such a great honor that when I’m gone, it’s a legacy.”