Dolores Huerta, influential labor leader, feminist and civil rights icon, dies at 96
Key Points:
- Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union and creator of the rallying cry "Sí, se puede!", has died at age 96; she was a prominent labor leader, civil rights icon, and feminist activist.
- Huerta played a key role in organizing farmworkers, leading the Delano Grape Strike, negotiating labor contracts, and advocating for workers' rights, earning numerous honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- She revealed in 2023 that she was sexually abused by César Chavez in the 1960s, a secret she kept for decades to protect the farmworker movement's progress.
- Beyond labor activism, Huerta campaigned for political candidates, fought for women's and LGBTQ+ rights, and inspired generations through her advocacy and organizing.
- Her legacy includes significant legal and social advances for farmworkers, recognition in halls of fame, and a lasting impact on civil rights and social justice movements in the U.S.