Civil rights icon Dolores Huerta dies at 96

Dolores Huerta, the veteran civil rights activist who spent six decades organizing farmworkers and advocating for Latino rights, has died. She was 96. Her death comes at a moment when the Latino community faces new challenges, including voter suppression efforts and rising xenophobia.

Huerta was born Dolores Clara Fernández in Dawson, New Mexico, on April 10, 1930. Raised by her mother, she moved to Stockton, California, as a child. According to her foundation, she was a primary school teacher and the mother of 14 children. Despite these family responsibilities, she became a central figure in the labor movement, working alongside César Chávez for nearly 60 years.

For most of that time, Huerta kept her personal life private. She recently broke a long silence to reveal that Chávez had abused her. She explained that she stayed quiet for decades because she feared that disclosing the truth would damage the broader farmworker struggle. By sharing her story, she prioritized the truth over her personal image, a decision that drew widespread attention from media and supporters alike.

Her work was foundational to the United Farm Workers union. During the grape boycotts and strikes led by the UFW, her organization played a key role in mobilizing public support. She is credited with helping shape the modern understanding of Latino self-determination, which is closely linked to the push for immigration reform. Her presence at rallies and community events was known to energize crowds, much as it did when she first started as a young activist.

In her final years, Huerta remained active and visible. She celebrated her 96th birthday recently, continuing to speak with clarity and conviction. She remained a familiar figure at political events and interviews, often surrounded by supporters who sought her endorsement. Her legacy includes not only the policies she helped advance but also the cultural motto of the UFW: 'Sí se puede.'

The phrase became a rallying cry after she responded to critics who said workers in Arizona could not be organized. Her answer, delivered with indignation, was 'In Arizona? Yes, we can.' That spirit defined her public persona. As the community mourns her loss, her example continues to influence those who fight for workers' rights and civil liberties.

Her family and colleagues will remember her as a resilient leader who carried the weight of the movement's history. Her contribution to the labor and civil rights movements remains a central part of the story of Latino activism in California and across the nation.