AFSCME District Council 36 mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta

AFSCME District Council 36 mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta.

Huerta was a labor giant and pioneer. She was a fierce defender of workers’ rights and women’s rights. She began her life as an activist after witnessing the struggles of the students she taught, many of which were children of farmworkers.

In the 1950s, Huerta co-founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) to help Latino communities fight discrimination, economic hardships, and voter suppression. In 1962, she co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), which led many strikes for fair wages and better working conditions for farmworkers. During the 1960s and 1970s, she helped mobilize Latino voters by leading voter registration drives She would canvass in rural communities to help people overcome language barriers. Her efforts helped to elect leaders who would fight for workers’ rights.

Dolores Huerta’s impact is immeasurable. In 2012, Dolores Huerta was the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. She coined the phrase, “Sí, se puede”, which became a rallying cry for the labor movement and other social justice movements.

In September, AFSCME District Council 36 received the Leadership Award at the 6th Annual Dolores Huerta Spirit Awards. We were honored to receive that award, and we will continue the legacy that Dolores Huerta leaves behind. She will be greatly missed.