Statement from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty on the Passing of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement on the passing of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes:

"Dr. Hazel N. Dukes was a trailblazer, a mentor, and a steadfast advocate for civil rights. Through her leadership within the NAACP—from the National Board of Directors and the Executive Committee to key subcommittees—she helped shape the fight for racial equity, inclusion, and justice for generations."

"To many of us, she was more than a leader—she was 'Mama Dukes,' a guiding light who nurtured and inspired countless activists, including myself. Her impact reached every corner of our society, from breaking barriers as the first Black person in the Nassau County Attorney’s Office in 1966 to shaping early childhood education under President Lyndon Johnson’s Head Start program. Her decades of advocacy for education, housing, and healthcare transformed lives in New York and across the country."

"The torch she carried now rests in our hands, and we will continue her fight for justice. My thoughts are with her family and all who loved her."

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) has served Central Ohio’s working families in Congress since 2013. She is the Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, co-chairs the bipartisan Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, and is Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus.  

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