[4][5], Huerta is the originator of the phrase, "Sí, se puede". She remembered a school teacher accusing her of stealing another student's work and, as a result, giving her an unfair grade, an act she considers to be rooted in racial bias. She led the organization of boycotts advocating for consumer rights. [37], She was awarded the Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship in 2002. It took until 1975 to pass a new law that gave that same collective-bargaining power to farmworkers across California. Writer, feminist and women's rights activist Betty Friedan wrote 'The Feminine Mystique' (1963) and co-founded the National Organization for Women. We know what relationships are, and we know what sacrifice is". she explained that the landowners had received the land and water for free and also expected the labor for free. One time, in one of our board meetings that we had, every time a guy made a chauvinist remark, with a pencil, I put a little line. As an advocate for farmworkers' rights, Huerta has been arrested twenty-two times for participating in non-violent civil disobedience activities and strikes. She encouraged the cultural diversity that was a natural part of Huerta's upbringing in Stockton. [21], The foundation was later changed to an affiliated agricultural workers organization. [70] Huerta and Chávez never married, but the couple had four children during their relationship. Glamour may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Meet extraordinary women who dared to bring gender equality and other issues to the forefront. She explained, laws must be passed in order for these people to get treated fairly which is why she worked hard and put constant pressure to get laws passed.
Their organization aimed to end discrimination of workers, police brutality and to improve the welfare of farm workers. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Huerta, photographed in front of the “Healers of the Central Valley” mural in Lamont, California. When Huerta was a child she moved to Stockton, California, with her mother and siblings after her parents’ divorce. They believe that all of these issues are universal human rights issues and, therefore, through the combination of engagement, programs, and volunteers, they try to raise awareness for such issues and encourage others also to be activists. [3] She was the first Latina inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1993. Then say to them, “That’s a really sexist remark that you just made.” When they are being really outright chauvinist, well, if it’s on the job, sometimes you have to organize that. In this moment, with so much on the line, she is the most fitting possible recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Woman of the Year award. In an interview Huerta stated that "The dominant person in my life is my mother. Dolores Huerta was born in Mexico on 10th April 1930. We know what relationships are, and we know what sacrifice is". Unlike many women of her era, she went on to college, after graduating from Stockton High School.
Later, he joined the migrant labor force, and harvested beets in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. "[18] The Original UFW house is located in the city of Los Angeles. I was married and divorced. Dolores, a new documentary about Huerta, talks a lot about her feminist approach to activism. [43] Also in 2008, Huerta received the "Maggie" Award, highest honor of the Planned Parenthood Federation, in tribute to their founder, Margaret Sanger. Updates? DH: Well, luckily I had members of my family that helped me, my mother initially, and then I had a couple of aunts. She was lauded in the ceremony: "Through her insatiable hunger of justice—La Causa—and her tireless advocacy, she has devoted her life to creative, compassionate, and committed citizenship. [49], Huerta was honored by California State University, Los Angeles in October 2017 with its highest honor, the Presidential Medallion. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. How did Dolores Huerta meet Cesar Chavez? Amsler, T. R. (Summer 2007). )", "Walter P. Reuther Library Dolores Huerta Papers", "Walter P. Reuther Library UFW Office of the President: Cesar Chavez Records", Dolores Huerta Celebrates 80th Birthday with Call for "Weaving Movements Together", Category:American people of Mexican descent, National Farm Workers Association/United Farm Workers, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dolores_Huerta&oldid=986268052, Activists for Hispanic and Latino American civil rights, Members of the Democratic Socialists of America, University of the Pacific (United States) alumni, American trade unionists of Mexican descent, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2020, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association with, 1960 bill to permit Spanish-speaking people to take the California driver's examination in. DH: I had the good fortune to meet a great gentleman, and his name was Fred Ross Sr. The one thing is not to give up. [47] The same month, she was awarded an honorary doctorate [48] by University of the Pacific, which unveiled an official portrait of her for the Architects of Peace Project by artist Michael Collopy.
Huerta was the subject of the documentary Dolores (2017). They also have “secured millions of dollars for local infrastructures such as new sewer connections, street lights, sidewalks, and gutters in Lamont and Weedpatch from 2007-2015.”[31] Education is one of the biggest priorities for the organization and had a historic win in 2017 where the Kern High School District “agreed to settle a lawsuit filed on behalf of Latino and Black students for disproportionately suspending students of color due to implicit bias.”[31] The district now has positive disciple practices and provides training to all staff members. [12] Her mother's generous actions during Dolores's childhood provided the foundation for her own non-violent, strongly spiritual stance. The foundation first got started when Huerta received the $100,000 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship, which she then used to create the DHF. The baton-beating caused significant internal injuries to her torso, resulting in several broken ribs and requiring the removal of her spleen in emergency surgery. [36] She was an inaugural recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights from President Bill Clinton in 1998.
The two had five children together. A lot of things were going on then because people were very, very poor. Kennedy died from his gunshot wounds on June 6. [10], Chávez raised Huerta and her two brothers in the central California farm worker community of Stockton, California. © 2020 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. [43] Also in 2008, Huerta received the "Maggie" Award, highest honor of the Planned Parenthood Federation, in tribute to their founder, Margaret Sanger. In front of people, because I want them to feel the pain, embarrassment. Her youngest daughter, Camila Chavez, is the Executive Director at the foundation and “now leads a staff of over 20 organizing, communications, and administrative staff and interns who conduct programs.”[31] The primary purpose of the foundation is to weave in movements such as “women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, labor rights, and civil rights”[31] into an individual thread. Many of these workers would migrate and traveled to where the crops were in season, meaning their children did not have a proper education and would often work in the fields along with their parents. Her defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. "Considering the sources/ fuentes for a Hispanic feminist theology. Tell us about those early days of the movement. [60], Huerta championed women's rights in feminist campaigns during her time off from union work. [14] After teaching elementary school, Huerta left her job and began her lifelong crusade to correct economic injustice:[2]. The DHF has several programs ranging from Civic Engagement to the Youth Program they provide to Education and Equality. First I started babysitting I think when I was 12. Didn’t like to have her picture taken. What kind of counsel would you give the people who are out there demonstrating peacefully today to continue this momentum and to not grow weary when change doesn’t happen as rapidly as it should?
Retrieved September 23, 2015. [58], Asteroid 6849 Doloreshuerta, discovered by American astronomers Eleanor Helin and Schelte Bus at Palomar Observatory in 1979, was named in her honor.
During their marriage, they had two daughters, Celeste and Lori. The DHF has several programs ranging from Civic Engagement to the Youth Program they provide to Education and Equality.
After divorcing with Ralph Huerta married to Ventura Huerta who was also a labor activist. Aurelie Ventura La Opinion Photos/Newscom. At some point I just said, “You know what? Depending on the person, if it’s somebody that we know, that we respect, we can call them out. We had an office there.
DH: Well, I think when you’re a mom, and you know what that is like, your days just start early in the morning and they go until late at night. “The only way that can happen is you have to vote. [24] The boycott resulted in the entire California table grape industry signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the United Farm Workers in 1970. Community of Christ International Peace Award, 2007. When looking to the future of activism, Huerta believes that education is the way to go, stating: "We've got to include, from pre-K, the contributions of people of color in our schools today. Then I got a job in a place cutting apricots. Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan political and environmental activist and her country's assistant minister of environment, natural resources and wildlife. The baton-beating caused significant internal injuries to her torso, resulting in several broken ribs and requiring the removal of her spleen in emergency surgery. Candidates, Votes and the 1992 Elections", "DHF History and Victories | Dolores Huerta Foundation", "SF School named for Dolores Huerta, raises funds to do even more", "Dolores Huerta is Bestowed "Orden Mexicana del Aguila Azteca" Mexico's Order of the Aztec Eagle Award 11/17/15", "Dolores Huerta will be given Medal of Freedom, White House announces", "Kappa Delta Chi National – Honorary Members", Human Rights Leader Dolores Huerta Endorses Clinton, "2008 Democratic National Convention: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader", "Planned Parenthood Honors Reproductive Rights Champions at Celebrity-Studded Gala Event", "Legendary Labor Leader Dolores Huerta to speak at Mills College Convocation", "Dolores Huerta Honorary Degree Conferral Open to the Public", "The class of 2017 will change the world", "Cal State LA alumna Billie Jean King honors humanitarians and celebrates student success at 20th gala", "10th Annual César Chávez Convocation with Dolores Huerta", "Democratic Socialists of America :: Our Structure", "Governor Brown Signs Bill Creating Dolores Huerta Day Honoring Labor and Civil Rights Icon", "April 10 designated 'Dolores Huerta Day' in Washington state", "Civil rights activist Dolores Huerta gets an intersection named for her in Boyle Heights today", "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 6849 Doloreshuerta (1979 MX6)", "A Crushing Love Chicanas, Motherhood and Activism Chicanas, Motherhood and Activism", "Rosario Dawson Nervous To Play Dolores Huerta", "Pioneering Labor Activist Dolores Huerta: Women 'Never Think of Getting Credit' But Now That's Changing", "Dolores Huerta: A Legendary Champion of Farm Workers and Women", "Richard Chavez dies at 81; brother of César Chávez (He helped César Chávez build the United Farm Workers into a political and agricultural force.