WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A woman who made a name for herself in Wichita and was in the process of doing the same thing in Washington was on the plane that crashed in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
Kiah Duggins was a civil rights attorney who worked with a legal group in D.C. called Civil Rights Corps. She was also a well-known and active member of the Wichita community.
She graduated from Wichita East High School, Wichita State University as a Clay Barton Scholar, and Harvard Law School.
Not only was she an attorney, but she was also set to be a professor at Howard University School of Law in the fall.
It is with profound sadness that the Howard University of Law and the broader Howard University community have learned of the passing of Professor Kiah Duggins, who was among those lost in the the mid-air plane collision at Reagan National Airport.
Professor Duggins was set to begin a new chapter as a professor at Howard University School of Law this fall.
As a civil rights lawyer, she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.
We ask for privacy and respect for Professor Duggins’ family, students, and colleagues during this difficult time. Plans to honor her legacy will be shared in coming days.
We encourage our community to seek any support they may need. Those resources can be found on the graphic…”
Duggins has many impressive accomplishments. She was Miss Butler County 2015, Delta Mu’s Miss Black and Gold 2013, and a top 10 finalist for Miss Kansas. At WSU, she was a member of the Student Government Association, co-founder of the WSU Shocker Food Locker, and co-founder of the Wichita State Inspire outreach initiative.
During her tenure as an attorney, Kiah litigated on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices. She studied prison industrial complex abolition and movement lawyering as a Law 4 Black Lives Fellow and integrated those concepts into her daily work.
Her family remains active in the Wichita community, and this tragedy has profoundly impacted all who knew her. Today, we mourn the loss of one of our own. To those who had the privilege of knowing Kiah, our hearts are with you during this incredibly difficult time.
Kiah was a beacon of light, a testament to perseverance, and an inspiration to all who dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. We hope her legacy continues to inspire our students, serving as a reminder of what is possible through determination, passion, and purpose.”
She served as a White House intern for the First Lady’s Let Girls Learn initiative, founded the college readiness program The Princess Project, was president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, and so much more.
“She was a brave and beautiful soul, a light in the fight for civil rights. Her loss is heartbreaking, not only for her family and friends but for everyone who believes in justice and equality,” said former Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse.
Civil Rights Corps said Duggins enjoyed traveling internationally, dancing, and asking about people’s daily magical moments.
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