Dolores Huerta, the American labor leader and feminist who co-founded the United Farm Workers, has died of cancer at age 96. She passed away Wednesday at her home in Bakersfield, California, according to NOS Nieuws.
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers
Born Dolores Clara Fernandez in 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico, Huerta’s entry into activism followed her move to California after her parents divorced. VRT Nieuws reports she began her career as a teacher in the San Joaquin Valley, where the hunger and poverty she witnessed among her students drove her to advocate for their families outside the classroom.
In 1962, Huerta and César Chávez established the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). As a primary negotiator and leader, Huerta helped mobilize Filipino picketers during the five-year Delano grape strike. NOS Nieuws reports that these efforts forced large agricultural companies to sign collective bargaining agreements and establish first-of-their-kind healthcare and secondary benefit packages for farm laborers.
Did you know? Huerta’s Spanish slogan “Sí, se puede!” (Yes, it can be done!) served as the direct inspiration for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign slogan, “Yes, we can.”
Presidential Medal of Freedom and political influence
Huerta’s influence extended into the highest levels of U.S. government. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. NOS Nieuws reports that Obama described her as a “persistent leader” during the ceremony and noted that he was glad she allowed him to use her slogan for his 2008 campaign, remarking that “with Dolores, you don’t mess around.”
We know that wherever farm workers gather to organize, we can count on her presence. ¡Que Viva Dolores Huerta!Full statement at:https://t.co/ShyxtO8Lar 3/
Her activism was often physically demanding. VRT Nieuws reports that Huerta was arrested 22 times during protests. In 1988, she suffered severe injuries in San Francisco after being struck by a police officer’s baton during a demonstration.
Abuse allegations lead to Chávez legacy review
In March of this year, Huerta revealed that she had been sexually abused by César Chávez during the 1960s. According to VRT Nieuws, the abuse resulted in two children who were raised by others. Huerta kept the abuse secret for 60 years to avoid damaging the labor movement and her life’s work.
The revelation prompted a public re-evaluation of Chávez’s legacy. NOS Nieuws reports that Chávez’s name was removed from a holiday previously celebrated by the Spanish-speaking community in several states. In Denver, a sign at César Chávez Park was covered with a tarp and replaced by a handmade sign reading “Dolores Huerta Park.”
Activism into the nineties and beyond
Huerta remained active in protests well into her nineties, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and the fight against poverty and racism. In a 2025 documentary, she stated that her goal was to leave children a “legacy of justice” rather than material possessions, describing the love for justice as the most beautiful gift one can leave behind.
Comparison of reported details
| Detail | NOS Nieuws | VRT Nieuws |
|---|---|---|
| Cause of Death | Cancer | Cancer |
| Early Career | Not specified | Teacher in San Joaquin Valley |
| Police Altercation | Not specified | Injured by baton in 1988 |
Common questions about Dolores Huerta’s legacy
What was the impact of the Delano grape strike?
The strike, led by Huerta and Chávez, resulted in collective bargaining agreements and health benefits for agricultural workers, according to NOS Nieuws.
Why was César Chávez’s name removed from public honors?
The removal followed Huerta’s revelation in March that Chávez had sexually abused her in the 1960s, leading to a reassessment of his legacy, as reported by VRT Nieuws.
Dolores Huerta, one of the foremost women in US labor history who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez and fought legislators and powerful growers to improve the lives of a previously powerless constituency, died at age 96, her family said https://t.co/XVtMmXcqbq pic.twitter.com/Xb9HxBkTL0
Which honors did Huerta receive for her work?
She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, with President Obama citing her persistence as a leader, according to NOS Nieuws.
Huerta’s career began in 1962 with the founding of the National Farm Workers Association, a movement that eventually secured the legal right for California farmworkers to engage in collective bargaining.
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