Dolores Huerta, the trailblazing labor rights advocate whose rallying cry “Sí Se Puede!” inspired generations, is being mourned by political leaders and Hollywood figures after her death at 96.
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, building an organization dedicated to defending the rights of migrant farmworkers.
Her decades of activism helped improve working conditions for laborers in America’s fruit and vegetable fields.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today,” her family said in a statement to CNN.
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama were among those who paid tribute soon after news of Huerta’s death emerged, with Obama describing her as his “hero.”
Obama presented Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Dolores Huerta, the pioneering labor rights advocate whose “Sí Se Puede!” slogan galvanized supporters, is being remembered by political and Hollywood figures after her death at 96
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez to campaign for the rights of migrant farmworkers
“Dolores Huerta was a hero of mine,” Obama wrote. “When she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, people thought Dolores was crazy. ‘How are you going to organize farm workers,’ she remembered being asked. ‘They are poor, powerless immigrants.’
“But that’s exactly what she did, helping thousands of migrant laborers working in brutal conditions make their voices heard, and demand something better.
“Dolores spent the rest of her life fighting for marginalized communities, even as she herself faced sexism and abuse — including, as she revealed earlier this year, from Cesar Chavez and others within her own movement. She also came up with a pretty good slogan, ‘Si, se puede’ — Yes, we can — that I too often get credit for. But as usual, Dolores got there first.
“Michelle and I are thinking of Dolores’s family, the people whose lives she changed, and everyone who drew inspiration from her example.”
Eva Longoria remembered Huerta as far more than an “icon,” honoring the personal influence the activist had on her life.
“I can’t believe she’s gone. I can’t imagine a world without Dolores Huerta in it,” the actress wrote.
“To me, Dolores was so much more than an icon. She was my mentor, my teacher of life, and one of the greatest examples of what it means to be a human being. She taught me that a life of purpose is a life of service. That courage means standing up for others, even when it’s difficult. And that one person, armed with conviction, compassion, and an unwavering belief in justice, can change the world.
Former President Barack Obama, who awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, called her his “hero” in a tribute
“Dolores dedicated her entire life to fighting for people, lifting up voices that had been silenced, and reminding us that we all have a responsibility to make this world better than we found it.
“There will be an enormous void without her. A space that can never truly be filled. But the extraordinary thing about Dolores is that her life’s work lives on in every person she inspired, every barrier she broke, and every generation she taught to stand up and fight for what is right.
“I will miss her wisdom, her strength, her spirit, and above all, her humanity.
“How lucky we were to have her. How lucky I was to learn from her.
“Gracias, Dolores. Por todo. Sí, se puede. Siempre.”
America Ferrera, who portrayed Cesar Chavez’s wife, Helen Chavez, in the 2014 biographical film, offered her “deep love” and condolences to Huerta’s family while celebrating her life and enduring legacy.
Eva Longoria remembered Huerta as much more than an “icon,” praising her as a mentor and teacher
America Ferrera, who played Cesar Chavez’s wife Helen Chavez in the 2014 biography, sent her “deep love” and condolences to Huerta’s family while reflecting on her legacy
“Today I celebrate the beautiful and purposeful life that Dolores Huerta lived. I’m so grateful we had her in the world for 96 long years!! She undeniably made other peoples’ lives better and she ALWAYS showed up right to the end to fight with love and to dance with joy. May we carry her legacy in our actions and to the polls! She would demand no less of us! My deep love and condolences to her family and friends. Si Se Puede!!!”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also honored Huerta, calling her a defining figure in the state’s history.
“Dolores Huerta represented the best of us,” he said. “California — and the United States — would not be what we are today without her resolute spirit, her passion for justice and fairness, and her commitment to those overlooked and forgotten.
“Dolores’ fight for gender equity, workers’ rights, and civil rights paved the way for generations to come — teaching people what was possible with determination and heart.
“Her legacy lies not just in the accomplishments she achieved, but in the people who follow in her footsteps, take up the mantle, and keep creating a better world.”
Huerta’s family announced her death in a statement obtained by CNN, saying: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today.”
“As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us,” the family said. “We ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family. We know that many of you around the world share in our mourning, and we will be following up on plans to recognize and celebrate her incredible life and legacy.”
Huerta and Chavez launched what became the United Farm Workers in 1962 to advocate for agricultural workers
Huerta and Chavez established what would become the United Farm Workers in 1962, creating a powerful voice for agricultural workers’ rights.
According to CNN, the union organized a four-year grape boycott beginning in 1966. Supporters also encouraged restaurants to serve products grown by union members.
That year, Huerta negotiated with influential industry figures as Chavez undertook a 300-mile march from Delano, California, to Sacramento, the state capital.
Chavez died in 1993 and was widely celebrated as a champion of farmworkers. Earlier this year, however, his legacy came under intense scrutiny after The New York Times reported allegations that he sexually abused and groomed girls as young as 12.
Huerta also accused Chavez of sexual assault in the report, saying she had been “manipulated and pressured into having sex with him.” She described a second incident in which she “was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped.”
Huerta said she became pregnant twice as a result of the encounters and arranged for the children to be raised by other families.
“I have kept this secret long enough,” she wrote. “My silence ends here.”
