by Karl B. Rodney
Congratulations to Dr. Hazel N. Dukes on the occasion of the renaming of a street in Roslyn, New York for the great lady of civil rights.
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Roslyn, New York is where Dr. Dukes made her initial mark in some of the most dynamic programs that have come to be a part of the Civil Rights Movement in New York and around the country. Dr. Dukes was instrumental in integrating the Roslyn Garden Apartments when she became the complex’s first African American resident.
As Dr. Dukes mentioned, the celebration was a celebration of coming home and what a celebration it was. Officials from every level of government came to pay tribute to Hazel Dukes – church leaders, community leaders, organizational leaders, youth leaders, and community people who have benefited and have been guided by Dr. Dukes turned out in numbers to overflowing, to witness the historic occasion of the renaming of the street to “Dr. Hazel Dukes Way” . It was just an outpouring of love for a giant, and as Carib News refers to her, as a Titan, one who has excelled in all ways and stands out and stands up to injustice.
The celebration was not only for this special honor; Dr. Dukes also celebrated her 91st birthday, a 91st birthday of energy, strength, determination, love, and ongoing commitment.
In one of the most segregated areas in the country, Hazel Dukes was able to batten down, and challenge housing discrimination and open housing for the first time to people of color in the area. She was able to organize the education system to respond to the needs of black children rather than shunning them aside into underperforming classes She was able to marshal the community for the achievement of civil rights and marshal the church and other organizations to assert political power electing Black officials in areas never considered before.
So for Hazel Dukes, this was a moment in time of reflection and she used the time to identify those who are in various categories of designated leadership that she has poured her heart and soul into their development. And they were there in numbers and they were there as achievers and they were there as pathfinders, trailblazers, in historical activities throughout the area and around the country.
Dr. Dukes asked them if they have any consideration for her legacy, if so, she asked them to get involved and to make personal sacrifices and contributions to keep the effort and her own accomplishments going and growing because that is what is needed to move on and on. Dr. Dukes has been in the forefront of the Civil Rights movement since the 60s and has been an important and dynamic inspiration to the movement from that period until the present day.
She remains a constant fighter for the rights of our people, and is undeterred by any kind of opposition.
She has worked with President Lyndon Johnson and the formation of the Headstart program that is now legendary throughout the country.
She was the first African-American vice president of the Nassau County Democratic Committee and used that position to empower black people in the suburbs for years. She served in the position of president of the NAACP New York conference since 1992 and has been a dynamic leader and has never stopped working for the political empowerment of our people, civil rights and human rights.
She is known for dynamic leadership in the local and national scene, and her work is witnessed by the growing and dynamic expansion of the NAACP throughout New York. She sits on the National Board of Directors as one of the key contributors to national policies. Dr. Duke’s sights has been across borders and she has also been a strong supporter of the Carib News Multinational Business Conference.
She talks often about the need and commonality of purpose and the problem that exists with black people of color everywhere, internationally, and the need to work together. Dr. Dukes was not afraid to express reviews to Prime Ministers or Presidents about the need to be stronger and she was always willing to be an advisor on how we can be organized and work together.
Through our association with the Links, they have done several projects in the Caribbean for schools in particular, working to upgrade schools and to help in so many social areas.
Dr. Dukes reputation is vastly known nationally, but we have had the opportunity to see her contributing outside of the United States, working to bring people of color together.
We salute and celebrate Dr. Dukes on the honor paid to her by the people of Roslyn, Hempstead and all over Long Island, and of course her adopted location of Harlem, where the admiration and activity is well known. The street sign will be a historical marker for a pioneer and committed individual that brings change wherever she goes and a testimony to what others can do.
