Dolores Huerta

Who is Dolores Huerta?

Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta best known as Dolores Huerta. She is an American labor leader and a civil rights activist. Born in April 10th 1930 (age 88), in Dawson, New Mexico, daughter of Alicia Chavez and Juan Fernandez. She grew up in a poor neighborhood in Stockton California an area well known as the San Joaquin Valley As a child she faced consistent discrimination for being of Mexican American heritage. At a young age she showed signs of a strong and educated female. Young Huerta played violin, piano, had dance lessons, and was a member of the Girls Scout up until she was 18.

Dolores had an education degree from Delta Community College and as soon as she became a teacher, she realized many of her students were poor and farm workers. Therefore, she became one of the founders of the Stockton chapter of Community Service Organization (CSO). This organization helped to improve living conditions of farm workers and fight discrimination among the community.

In 1959, Cesar Chavez had established his presence in the fight for immigrants' rights and he now sought out local community organizations to begin the political movement.In 1960, Dolores created the  Agricultural Workers Association (AWA). This organization helped farm workers get fair treatment and equal opportunities. Through this organization she lobbied politicians on many issues such as allowing immigrant workers without a citizenship receive government pension, creating a Spanish-language voting ballot, and many more. Through this organization she was also able to meet Cesar Chavez and together they became a power duo. They co-founded a workers' union which was later known as the United Farm Workers (UFW). This association became massive and was a factor that started the movement that many know till this day with famous quotes such "si se puede!" translated as "Yes we can!" this famous quotes became a highlight during Barack Obama's 2008 presidency.

Till this day, Dolores,now age 88, is still an activist fighting for rights such as Women's rights and social justice for all. she is the president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation which advocates for working poor, women and children. She travels daily, speaking at universities and organizational forums on issues of social justice and public policy. At the age of 88 she continues to fight for human right with every resource she has available, she has become well respected, well known all throughout the world, and a woman figure to many. She has inspired many young female immigrants such as me and many others to believe that you can fight for what you believe in. she proved to future generations that there is always a fight to fight and that we should unite no matter the gender, race, or nationality to improve everyone's well being.

Works Cited

"Dolores Huerta". Biography, 2018, https://www.biography.com/people/dolores-huerta-188850. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

"Dolores Huerta: Ahead Of Her Time - Women’S Media Center". Womensmediacenter.Com, 2018, http://www.womensmediacenter.com/news-features/dolores-huerta-ahead-of-her-time. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

 "Feminist Majority". Feminist.Org, 2018, http://www.feminist.org/welcome/board/Dolores-Huerta.htm. Accessed 10 Sept 2018.

figure 1. "Dolores Huerta: A Hero Of The Farmworker Movement Finally Gets Her Due - Modern Farmer". Modern Farmer, 2018, https://modernfarmer.com/2017/09/dolores-huerta-hero-farmworker-movement-finally-gets-due/. Accessed 11 Sept 2018.

figure 2.  afophs, View. "Dolores Huerta: Champion Of Civil Rights For All". Health & Safety Programs, 2018, https://afophs.wordpress.com/2017/04/13/dolores-huerta-champion-of-civil-rights-for-all/. Accessed 11 Sept 2018.