As families and communities identify victims in Wednesday night’s plane crash near Washington, D.C., we’re learning that a well-known civil rights attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant is among the 67 people dead.
Kiah Duggins was an attorney with Civil Rights Corps. She grew up in Wichita and attended Wichita East High School. In 2015, she represented the Miss Kansas Organization as Miss Butler County.
Former Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse described Duggins as “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,” Cruse wrote in a Facebook post. “May her work, her message, and her spirit continue to inspire and create change. Gone too soon but never forgotten.”
On Thursday, Duggins’ family also issued a statement, asking for privacy as they grieve.
“We are coming to terms with the grief associated with the loss of our beautiful and accomplished firstborn,” the statement read. “Please respect our family’s privacy at this time.”
Duggins’ profile on the website for Civil Rights Corps touts accomplishments that include litigating ‘on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.”
Duggins graduated from Harvard Law School after earning her undergraduate degree from Wichita State University.
The post Kiah Duggins Death; victim from Wichita in last night’s plane crash in DC has been identified as civil rights attorney and former Miss Kansas contestant Kiah Duggins first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.