Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Activist & United Farm Workers Co-Founder, Passes Away at 96
Dolores Huerta, the legendary civil rights activist and labor chief, has sadly died. She was 96 years previous.
The activist, who co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Cesar Chavez, handed away on Wednesday (October 28) at her residence in Bakersfield, California, based on The New York Times.
Her explanation for loss of life was most cancers, household spokesman Erik Olvera confirmed to the outlet.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mom, Dolores Huerta, has handed away as we speak on the age of 96,” her household wrote in an announcement shared on her official Instagram account.
The household requested for privateness as they mourn her loss, explaining that plans to honor her life and legacy could be introduced at a later date.
Dolores was born on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico, and grew up in Stockton, California.
She started her profession as a instructor earlier than turning to group organizing and preventing for higher working situations for farmworkers.
In 1962, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar, which later grew to become the United Farm Workers.
Throughout her profession, Dolores helped arrange strikes, boycotts and campaigns demanding higher wages and protections for agricultural employees. She performed a serious position within the historic Delano grape strike and nationwide grape boycott.
She additionally grew to become broadly identified for the phrase “Sí, se puede,” which means “Yes, we will,” which grew to become a rallying cry for labor and civil rights actions.
Her work earned her quite a few honors, together with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Barack Obama offered to her in 2012.
In addition to her labor activism, Dolores advocated for girls’s rights, immigration reform and higher political illustration for Latino communities.
Earlier this yr, she was named to TIME’s 2026 list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
In a tribute, Gloria Steinem wrote that she bought to know Dolores as “a fierce political organizer serving to farmworkers across the nation safe higher pay and protections. That work made her a civil rights and labor icon.”
Dolores remained an influential voice within the civil rights motion nicely into her 90s.
According to The New York Times, Dolores is survived by 13 of her youngsters, 24 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Our ideas are with Dolores‘ household, buddies and family members throughout this troublesome time.
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