Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta has spent more than 50 years fighting for some of the most vulnerable and underappreciated workers while inspiring scores of women to follow her lead. 

As the national labor movement gained strength in the first half of the 20th century, farm workers were often excluded from collective efforts and legislation meant to bolster protections for laborers broadly. Horrified by the poverty and food scarcity suffered by those responsible for harvesting America’s bounty in her native California, Huerta took action.

Huerta and Cesar Chavez spearheaded the 1965 Delano grape strike in pursuit of fairer pay and working conditions for agriculture workers. The duo organized the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. Huerta traveled the country to meet with grape growers, labor organizations and retailers — most of which were men — while fighting sexism and even violence along the way.

UFW President Teresa Romero, the first immigrant woman to hold that position, said Huerta’s fearlessness and dedication has inspired her and other female labor leaders in an industry still dominated by men.

“The fact to me that she was out there, risking it all, is a reminder that she paved the way for other women who came after her, like me, and inspires me to continue doing the work,” Romero said.

“If we had more Dolores Huertas in the world, this would be a much better world.”

— Sylvan Lane