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By Hazel Rosetta Smith
Dr. Dukes is a woman of great strength and courage. Her dedication to human rights and equality is exemplified by her role in linking business, government, and social causes. She continues to be a recognized participant in the lineage of African American leaders who have fought the good fight to uplift all Americans, through her service, advocacy, and mentorship.
Hazel Nell Dukes was born in Montgomery, Alabama, the only child of Edward and Alice Dukes. She enrolled at Alabama State Teachers College in 1949 with the hope of becoming a teacher, however, after her family migrated to New York City in 1955, she started school at Nassau Community College majoring in Business Administration.
She received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, and completed post-graduate work at Queens College. Her work contributed to the hard fight against housing discrimination in Nassau County six decades ago, then her focus turned to the effort of establishing HEAD START under President Lyndon Johnson.
When we note the name Dukes, it is most associated with her leadership of the NAACP. Dr. Dukes is a past national president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP, is the current President of the organization’s New York State chapter and a member of various NAACP board sub-committees.
Additionally, she is President of the Hazel N. Dukes & Associates Consultant Firm, specializing in the areas of public policy, health, and diversity.
She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc., the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., and an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Northern Manhattan Alumnae Chapter.
In 1990 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College, was conferred the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn, New York in 2009, and in 2012 she was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harlem New York.
Dr. Dukes has many organizational affiliations; some of which include former President of the Metro-Manhattan Links Chapter, was appointed the National Links NGO Representative, and is a former trustee of the State University of New York and Stillman College. She continues to be a recipient of awards for her outstanding leadership activities.
At the 53rd Annual Legislative Conference of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the State University of New York Black Leadership Institute will establish in March 2024, the Dr. Hazel Dukes Fellowship, naming one exceptional individual from every cycle in honor of Dr. Hazel Dukes.
Governor Hochul said, “For her entire career, Dr. Hazel Dukes has been an unrelenting force in the fight for civil rights and equality in New York State. Through this fellowship, we are honoring the legacy of Dr. Dukes and ensuring her critical work is enshrined for generations to come.”
Dr. Dukes responded, “It’s a legacy that I don’t think I could ask for anything more important than this… I am thrilled to receive this honor to help educate, train, and cultivate exceptional students at SUNY, and I thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to the next generation of New Yorkers.”
In addition to the Fellowship, the Governor also announced the next SUNY Portrait Competition will be held in honor of Dr. Hazel Dukes with the winning portrait to be displayed in the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building in Albany.
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado commented, “Dr. Hazel Dukes has been a tireless champion in the fight for civil and racial justice. She has moved mountains to further equality and equity in this state. Her achievements will inspire New Yorkers and our SUNY students for generations to come.”
Michaelle Solages, Chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus said, “On behalf of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, I commend Governor Hochul for recognizing Dr. Hazel Dukes’ Fellowship honoring her legacy, ensuring that her transformative contributions will continue to inspire future generations…”
Happy Birthday to the Honorable Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes, March 17, 2024. She continues to be a mentor whose words speak truth to all ages, reminding us that, “Education can deliver us out of poverty and bring us into another sphere of respect and it changes lives.” Touche!
