Dolores Huerta is an American labor leader and civil rights activist. Her full name is Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta.
Huerta has also worked for Farm Workers in collaboration with Cesar Chavez, co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association.
Dolores Huerta was born on April 10, 1930 in New Mexico’s mining town and deserted city, Dawson. Her father Juan Fernández worked in a coal miner who later joined the migrant labor force.
And her mother Alicia Chávez was a businesswoman. Alicia runs a 70-room hotel. She kept the price of her hotel rooms affordable and sometimes also gave free rooms so that low-paid workers and farm laborers could stay.
Huerta got the inspiration to fight for the rights of farmworkers from her mother.
But when Huerta was just 3 years old, her parents divorced. After that, she started living with her father. But all her qualities came from her mother.
Huerta’s mother was known for her kindness and compassion. She worked with a number of civic organizations to resolve community issues. She always promoted cultural diversity.
In an interview, Dolores Hurta said her mother has the most important place in her life. Whatever she is today is because of her mother.
It was her mother who taught him about civil rights and taught him to fight for her rights. Her mother also explained the importance of non-violence and spirituality.
She received her primary education from Stockton High School. And from there Huerta’s journey to becoming community activism began.
Dolores Huerta had very bad experiences since childhood, so she always felt that there is a dire need to bring change in society.
After finishing school education, she joined the University of the Pacific’s Stockton College and earned a provisional teaching degree there.
After college a few years Huerta worked in an elementary school. And later she quit her job and started working for the right economic injustice.
In 1955, he founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) in association with Fred Ross. With its help, Huerta made considerable economic reforms for Mexican migrant farmworkers.
In 1960 he co-founded the Agricultural Workers Association. With the help of this association, Huerta pressured the local governments to bring barrio improvements.
And in 1962 Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with civil rights activist César Chávez. And this association later came to be known as United Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee.
Also, until 2018, Dollars Hurta was the only woman to have a place on the UFW board. In addition, she was also the first Latina to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Huerta has received several awards for her work such as the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award, the United States Presidential Eleanor Roosevelt Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
She did many things to make society better and for the rights of the people. So, in her honor, Dollars Hurta Day is celebrated on April 10 every year in California.
Dolores Huerta Quotes :
“Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.” – Dolores Huerta
“We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for.” – Dolores Huerta
“Organized labor is the only way to have a fair distribution of wealth.” – Dolores Huerta
“The great social justice changes in our country have happened when people came together, organized, and took direct action.” – Dolores Huerta
“We can’t let people drive wedges between us… because there’s only one human race.” – Dolores Huerta
“We criticize and separate ourselves from the process. We’ve got to jump right in there with both feet.” – Dolores Huerta
“Nonviolence can work to make social change.” – Dolores Huerta Quotes
“If we don’t have workers organized into labor unions, we’re in great peril of losing our democracy.” – Dolores Huerta
“When you have a conflict, that means that there are truths that have to be addressed on each side of the conflict.” – Dolores Huerta
“I call myself an addicted organizer.” – Dolores Huerta Quotes
“I’m glad that the fact that people are still getting poisoned by pesticide drift is gaining attention.” – Dolores Huerta
“Exercise your right to vote.” – Dolores Huerta Quotes
“I hope people become inspired to become active in their community. That’s the important thing.” – Dolores Huerta
“Sometimes, we have to promote ourselves. Just go out and be very active about trying to find an opportunity.” – Dolores Huerta
“Honor the hands that harvest your crops.” – Dolores Huerta Quotes
“A leader is a person that does the work. It’s very simple. It’s a personal choice for people who choose to put in their time and their commitment to do the work.” – Dolores Huerta
“When you choose to give up your time and resources to participate in community work, that’s what makes a leader.” – Dolores Huerta
“Not spending any money at all would show the economic impact of purchasing power.” – Dolores Huerta
“My mother was a dominant force in our family. And that was great for me as a young woman, because I never saw that women had to be dominated by men.” – Dolores Huerta
“Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk.” – Dolores Huerta
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