AFT Honors Dr. Hazel Dukes' Legacy in Education and Civil Rights Advocacy

Tribute to Dr. Hazel N. Dukes: A Legacy of Justice and Equality

WASHINGTON—Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), paid tribute to the late Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, emphasizing her monumental contributions to civil rights and education. Dr. Dukes, renowned for her unyielding commitment to social justice, began her journey as a member of the NAACP Youth Council in Montgomery, Alabama, where she actively opposed segregation. Rising to become the national president of the NAACP, she consistently championed equality, focusing on school integration, voting rights, and fair labor conditions.

In New York, Dr. Dukes was instrumental in advocating for public school funding and greater access to higher education, particularly for marginalized Black and brown communities. Her advocacy for economic justice was not merely rhetorical; she actively held corporations accountable, striving to establish policies that would benefit working families.

Weingarten highlighted Dr. Dukes' recognition of educators and labor unions as crucial agents of opportunity, particularly for children and those facing societal challenges. She noted, “Dr. Dukes understood the importance of educators and labor unions as people and as a means to opportunity for all, particularly for our children, and those who have confronted society’s challenges.” Dr. Dukes was a steadfast ally of the United Federation of Teachers and the AFT, supporting initiatives for robust public schools, improved wages, and worker dignity.

Her profound belief in the inseparability of labor and civil rights fueled her activism beyond public demonstrations, extending into classrooms and boardrooms. Her dedication to collective action and empowerment has inspired countless leaders. The AFT expresses immense gratitude for her leadership, resilience, and relentless pursuit of justice, vowing to honor her legacy by striving for a fairer society.

“We will honor her legacy by continuing the fight for a fairer, more just society. Rest in power, Mama Dukes. Your memory is a blessing,” Weingarten concluded.

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The American Federation of Teachers represents 1.8 million members, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school personnel; higher education faculty and staff; government employees at various levels; healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.