Kiah Duggins was a distinguished civil rights attorney and academic whose promising career was tragically cut short.

She was one of the victims of the devastating plane collision near Reagan National Airport, university officials confirmed Thursday night.

She was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated from East High School and earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Wichita State University.

Highlights

Kiah’s dad. Dr. Maurice Duggins is a dedicated family physician in Wichita, Kansas, who has been committed to serving his community’s healthcare.
Her mom, Gwen Duggins, is a retired educator who devoted her career to teaching and shaping young minds.
The Wichita community has rallied around Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins, offering support and condolences during this profoundly difficult time.

Demonstrating a commitment to global education, she completed a Fulbright grant in Taiwan before pursuing her Juris Doctor at Harvard Law School, where she served as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau.

Beyond her legal pursuits, Duggins was a two-time Miss Butler County pageant winner and a top 10 finalist in the Miss Kansas Pageant in 2014 and 2015.

Professionally, she worked with the Civil Rights Corps, litigating against unconstitutional policing and bail practices across several states.

Kiah Duggins’ Parents, Maurice and Gwen, Mourn the Loss of Their Daughter

Kiah Duggins was the daughter of Dr. Maurice Duggins and Gwen Duggins.

Dr. Maurice Duggins is a family practice physician based in Wichita, Kansas, where he has been serving the community’s healthcare needs.

Former Miss Kansas contestant & attorney Kiah Duggins was 30-years-old. pic.twitter.com/vg9zfi8joU

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 31, 2025

Gwen Duggins is a retired educator, having dedicated her career to teaching and shaping young minds.

The couple resides in Wichita, where they raised Kiah and supported her numerous academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Their commitment to education and service is evident in Kiah’s impressive achievements, reflecting the values instilled in her from a young age.

The Duggins family’s deep roots in Wichita have made them well-known and respected members of the community.

In the wake of Kiah’s tragic passing, the community has rallied around Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins, offering support and condolences during this profoundly difficult time.

Kiah Duggins’s parents’ support and guidance was instrumental in shaping her path

African American Kiah Duggins was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas.

Her parents, Dr. Maurice Duggins and Gwen Duggins, are also African American and have deep roots in the Wichita community.

R.I.P to this Black American civil rights attorney Kiah Duggins who passed away last night in the plane crash in DC.

“What brought me to this work is personal. I’m a descendent of enslaved people who have been exploited economically and criminally for hundreds of years.”

She… pic.twitter.com/E8Ljrj5VHR

— Lou facts (@LoufactsIGB) January 31, 2025

The family’s heritage and longstanding presence in Wichita have made them well-known and respected members of the community.

Kiah’s achievements as a civil rights attorney and her commitment to social justice reflect the values instilled in her by her parents and their shared cultural background.

Kiah Duggins’ parents, Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins, provided unwavering support throughout her career journey.

Their dedication to her education and personal growth was evident in their active involvement in her pursuits.

This nurturing environment empowered Kiah to excel academically and professionally, leading her to become a distinguished civil rights attorney and an aspiring law professor at Howard University.

Their steadfast encouragement and belief in her abilities were instrumental in shaping her path and achievements.

Additional Infomation

Kiah earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served as the president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau.
Kiah litigates on behalf of movements challenging unconstitutional policing and money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, D.C.