Dolores Huerta, iconic labor and civil rights leader, dies at 96

COACHELLA, Calif. (KESQ) — Dolores Huerta, the pioneering labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), has died at age 96, leaving behind a legacy of organizing, advocacy and social justice that continues to inspire communities nationwide.

Huerta was born April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico, and grew up in Stockton, California, where early experiences with discrimination helped shape her lifelong commitment to fighting injustice. After briefly working as a teacher, she became involved in community organizing, motivated by the poverty and hardships she witnessed among farmworker families.

In 1962, Huerta and Cesar Chávez founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. As a union leader and negotiator, she fought for better wages, safer working conditions, health care benefits and protections against harmful pesticides. Her leadership in the 1973 grape boycott helped build momentum for landmark farmworker labor protections in California.

Huerta also advocated for immigrant rights, women's equality, LGBTQ+ communities and greater political representation for marginalized people. She founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation in 2002 to strengthen community organizing and advance social justice. Her enduring motto, “¡Sí, se puede!” — “Yes, we can!” — became a rallying cry for movements seeking equality and change.

News of Huerta's passing prompted tributes from organizations and leaders across the region. The United Farm Workers, in a statement attributed to President Teresa Romero, celebrated Huerta as a tireless advocate whose work strengthened farmworkers and the Latino community. The union emphasized that continuing her organizing legacy is the greatest tribute to her life.

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) also mourned her loss. Executive Director Angelica Salas described Huerta as a “guiding light” and an “indomitable fighter for justice,” remembering her as a mentor and friend who continued encouraging civic engagement and urging community members to vote in her final days.

In the Coachella Valley, TODEC expressed its grief, remembering Huerta as a friend, sister in the struggle and companion in the movement. The organization pledged to continue the fight in her honor, declaring, “Dolores Always Present!” The City of Palm Springs also honored Huerta's courage, determination and commitment to justice, recognizing the lasting impact she made on farmworkers and families.

Reaction continued to pour in this afternoon from local leaders to Riverside County and the Coachella Valley, with Supervisor V. Manuel Perez releasing a statement reading, "Dolores Huerta was a leader among leaders, an icon, and a pioneer for social justice whose impact will be felt for generations."

Perez's statement continued, "I first had the privilege of meeting Dolores during my undergraduate years at UC Riverside, where she spoke passionately about social justice and farmworkers’ rights. Over the years, I was fortunate to get to know her personally through her visits to the Coachella Valley.
Her work was especially meaningful to my family. My mother, who worked in the agricultural fields, often spoke about how Dolores’ advocacy helped bring essential protections to farmworkers, including access to restrooms, shade, clean drinking water, and safer working conditions. These victories brought dignity to hardworking families like mine. Dolores lived a remarkable 96 years, yet our nation still needs courageous voices like hers advocating for justice and equality. Her legacy will live forever in the families, workers, and communities she fought so tirelessly to uplift. I will always be grateful for her leadership, friendship, and extraordinary contributions.”

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz also released a statement on the legacy of Huerta, saying, "Our nation lost a hero and a warrior for justice with the passing of Dolores Huerta. She fought for justice until the very end. She stood up for farmworkers, women, children and the poor her entire life."

Ruiz continued, "As the son of farmworkers who grew up in a farmworker community, I owe her so much gratitude for inspiring a movement that brought so much dignity to many people who work hard to feed America and struggle just to give their children an opportunity. May she rest in peace. Her legacy and the struggle live on."

Huerta's legacy also includes difficult revelations about her relationship with Chávez. Earlier this year, she publicly alleged that he sexually assaulted her in 1966 and described two sexual encounters that she said involved coercion and force. Her allegations, along with those of other women, contributed to a reassessment of Chávez's legacy.

Despite the complexities of the movement's history, Huerta's decades of activism transformed labor organizing and helped amplify the voices of people too often excluded from political and economic power.