FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 1, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding the passing of civil rights icon and president of the New York chapter of the NAACP, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes:

“New York and our nation have lost a true giant today. I have known Dr. Hazel Dukes for most of my life, and I consider it one of my greatest blessings to have called her my friend, mentor, Soror, Link Sister, and inspiration. My mother, Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, and Dr. Dukes were Democratic Convention companions and were often in the trenches together fighting for the Black Community at each other’s sides. She lived a life of courage, resolve, and unmatched tenacity, and I will miss her warmth and wisdom so very dearly.

“For more than 70 years, Dr. Dukes devoted her life towards advancing the rights of Black Americans and our fight for equal treatment. Her advocacy and work for racial diversity, equity and inclusion, social change, and economic development within the Black community as a leader within the NAACP and other organizations solidified her as a force for social action and change. She stood tall against the oppressive status quo of Jim Crow and paved the way forward to a more enlightened, more accepting, more loving era for our country and world. Truly, we owe her a debt that can never be measured.

“My heartfelt prayers and condolences are with her son Ronald, her daughter-in-law Janet, and all friends and loved ones of the Dukes family during this season of bereavement. May they find comfort in knowing Dr. Dukes’ memory will long serve as a guiding light to those of us who remember just how bright she shined.”

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:23 

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