In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring April 10th as an annual day of celebration in honor of Dolores Huerta. She is undoubtedly one of the most influential and persevering labor activists and civil rights leaders of the 20th century.
Dolores and César Chávez joined forces with Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, Pete Velasco and Andy Imutan to form United Farm Workers of America, and used non-violent protest to improve legislative representation, wages and labor conditions for farm workers and their families. She also became a champion of women’s issues and advocated for more Latinos and women in political office. Dolores has been honored with the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and she was the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She established the nonprofit Dolores Huerta Foundation to continue her work. At age 90, she still travels across the country, building on her legacy of civic engagement by training a new generation of community organizers, and advocating for the working poor, women and children.
Dolores Huerta joined Alice Waters for an inspiring interview with Davia Nelson on NPR’s City Arts and Lectures (April 3rd 2020). Listen now.
The work of the Dolores Huerta Foundation is more relevant than ever today. Learn more.
The acclaimed documentary, Dolores, produced by Carlos Santana and Peter Bratt, carries a message of hope that the rallying cry, SÃ, Se Puede, will inspire present and generations of social activism. Watch it on PBS.