Kiah Duggins, a former Miss Kansas contestant, Harvard-trained civil rights attorney, and passionate advocate for justice, has been identified as one of the victims of Wednesday night’s tragic mid-air collision near Reagan National Airport.

Duggins, who was a top 10 finalist in both the 2014 and 2015 Miss Kansas Pageants, had been flying into Washington, D.C., in preparation for a new chapter in her career—teaching as a law professor at Howard University this fall, her former pageant director Larry Strong shared in a heartfelt tribute on Facebook.

Her close friend Kiana Knolland honored Duggins’ memory with a moving tribute, emphasizing the profound impact she had on those around her.

“Kiah Duggins. Say her name because it deserves to live on forever,” Knolland wrote. “Kiah was a Harvard-trained civil rights attorney, a freedom fighter, an abolitionist, a global traveler, and a radiant force of light and joy. Speaking of her in the past tense feels unbearable.”

Knolland recounted Duggins’ unwavering commitment to justice, her boundless intellect, and her compassionate spirit, noting that she carried her brilliance with grace and humility.

“She made you want to be better—smarter, kinder, bolder. Her presence alone challenged you to be your most fearless, compassionate self. She fearlessly confronted systems, institutions, and individuals, always pushing for change,” she wrote.

Their friendship spanned years, beginning in their high school’s gifted program in Wichita, Kansas. From their early academic journeys to shared experiences in Washington, D.C., and even overseas in Taiwan, Knolland described Duggins as an unwavering source of inspiration and strength.

“When she graduated from Harvard, I gifted her a framed quote: ‘The light in me honors the light in you.’ It was the perfect reflection of who she was,” she shared. “I am broken. I am hurting, but I will spend the rest of my life honoring you, sweet sister. Your legacy will live on forever.”

Duggins was among the 60 passengers and four crew members aboard American Airlines Flight 5342, which collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River while approaching Reagan National Airport. Officials have confirmed there were no survivors, and recovery efforts continue as authorities investigate the cause of the disaster.

As tributes pour in from friends, colleagues, and loved ones, Duggins is remembered not only for her remarkable accomplishments in law and advocacy but for the light, joy, and passion she brought into every space she entered.