|
Dukes, who led the New York State NAACP for nearly five decades,
fought tirelessly for voting rights, economic development, fair
housing and education through her career. Even in her 90s, she
spoke out against police brutality and for adequate health care
in underserved neighborhoods, the NAACP's New York State chapter
said in a statement.
In 2023, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented
Dukes with the NAACP’s highest honor — the Spingarn Medal.
“I'm not tired yet,” Dukes said in her acceptance speech for the
award. She added that she would continue her advocacy and
empower the next generation of NAACP leaders.
Dukes helped lay the foundation for Black women to ascend to the
nation’s highest offices. In 1972, she took the stage at the
Democratic National Convention to second the presidential
candidacy of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to run for
the party’s nomination.
Dukes was instrumental in former President Joe Biden’s decision
to choose a Black woman as his 2020 running mate, she noted in
an interview with CBS last year. Her career-long fight was
bookended by former Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 bid for
the presidency.
In a post in X Saturday, Harris called Dukes one of the heroes
“upon whose broad shoulders we stand.”
“I’m just proud of Kamala. I’m just excited if I can live to see
this happen. It would be the joy of my life,” Dukes said in the
CBS interview.
Dukes was the president of her own consulting firm. She also
served as the member of the NAACP National Board of Directors.
Leaders of the NAACP said in a statement Saturday that Dukes was
a “living embodiment” of the NAACP and that her legacy has
touched every aspect of the movement.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered flags to be lowered at
half-staff as a tribute to Dukes.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
