Dolores Huerta, a towering figure in the labor rights movement and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), has died at the age of 96. Her family confirmed her passing, remembering her as a beloved mother and a tireless advocate for marginalized communities.
Huerta, alongside Cesar Chavez, established the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, which later became the UFW. The organization championed the rights of migrant and agricultural workers, significantly improving labor conditions through boycotts, protests, and negotiations.
Former President Barack Obama lauded Huerta as a "hero," recalling her foundational work in organizing farm laborers who were often seen as powerless. Obama, who awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, noted her enduring impact and her role in popularizing the "Sí Se Puede" (Yes, We Can) slogan, a phrase he acknowledged she originated.
"Michelle and I are thinking of Dolores’s family, the people whose lives she changed, and everyone who drew inspiration from her example," Obama stated. He highlighted Huerta's persistence in fighting for marginalized communities despite facing sexism and abuse, including within her own movement.
Hollywood stars also shared their grief and admiration. Actress Eva Longoria described Huerta as a mentor and a profound example of a life dedicated to service and justice. "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," Longoria said, emphasizing Huerta's belief that one person with conviction can change the world.
America Ferrera, who portrayed Helen Chavez in the 2014 film about Cesar Chavez, expressed gratitude for Huerta's 96 years of life, stating, "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." Ferrera urged others to carry on Huerta's legacy through action and civic engagement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom paid tribute to Huerta's "resolute spirit, her passion for justice and fairness, and her commitment to those overlooked and forgotten." He asserted that California and the United States owe much of their progress to her advocacy for gender equity, workers' rights, and civil rights.
Born in New Mexico and raised in California, Huerta's activism began early. Her work with the UFW included organizing the pivotal 1966 grape boycott and negotiating with industry leaders while Chavez led a march from Delano to Sacramento. Despite facing personal challenges and later public accusations of abuse against Chavez, including by Huerta herself earlier in 2026, her commitment to labor rights remained a central theme of her long public life.
Her family has requested privacy during this time of mourning and has indicated that plans to celebrate Huerta's life and legacy will be announced later. The void left by her passing is expected to be deeply felt by the countless individuals and communities she inspired.
