Dolores Huerta, influential labor leader, feminist and civil rights icon, dies at 96

Dolores Huerta, the influential labor leader, feminist, and civil rights icon, has passed away at the age of 96. Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union, which aimed to improve working conditions for workers in America's fruit and vegetable fields. She was known for her iconic "Sí, se puede!" rally cry, which translates to "Yes, it can be done." Her work earned her prestigious awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Huerta remained active well into her 90s, participating in protests and speaking across the country about various social issues, such as race, poverty, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's rights. She encouraged activists to continue speaking out against injustices, stating that history continued to repeat itself.

Born in 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico, Huerta grew up in a diverse community of Mexican, Filipino, African American, Japanese, and Chinese working families. Her father was a miner and union activist, and her mother owned a restaurant and hotel. These experiences shaped her early interest in activism and independence.

Huerta met César Chavez in the early 1960s, and together they co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America. She played a crucial role in the union's negotiations and efforts to secure health and benefit plans for farmworkers, including the first of its kind.

In 1968, Huerta supported Sen. Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign and marched alongside him during his visit to Delano. She remained committed to organizing even after Kennedy's assassination, enduring 22 arrests for union demonstrations.

In 1988, Huerta was seriously injured while protesting against George H.W. Bush's opposition to the UFW grape boycott. She suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a pulverized spleen, and required numerous blood transfusions. After recovering, she focused on advocating for women's rights and encouraging Latinas to run for office, campaigning for various Democratic presidents.

Despite keeping her sexual abuse by César Chavez a secret for 60 years, Huerta revealed this painful truth in recent years. She had kept silent due to fear that revealing the abuse would compromise her life's work and unravel the progress made for workers. She openly discussed this difficult chapter in her life to help others understand the importance of speaking out against personal and systemic injustices.