Dolores Huerta was born on April 10, 1930 in New Mexico. She is the co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW).
In 1955, Huerta co-founded the Sacramento chapter of the Community Service Organization, and in 1960 co-founded the Agricultural Workers Association. In 1962, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chávez, which would later become the Unit's Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. In 1966, she negotiated a contract between the UFWOC and Schenley Wine Company, marking the first time that farmworkers were able to successfully collectively bargain with an agricultural enterprise.
In 1965 Huerta directed the UFW’s national grape boycott, taking the plight of the farm workers to the consumers. The boycott resulted in the entire California table grape industry signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the United Farm Workers in 1970.
As an advocate for farmworkers' rights, Huerta has been arrested twenty-two times for participating in non-violent civil disobedience activities and strikes. She remains active in progressive causes, and serves on the boards of For the American Way and Feminist Majority Foundation.
In September 1988 in front of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Huerta was severely beaten by San Francisco Police officers during a peaceful and lawful protest of the policies/platform of then-candidate for president George H.W. Bush. Later, Huerta won a large judgment against the SFPD and the City of San Francisco, the proceeds of which were used in benefit of farm workers.
In recognition of her achievements, she received an honorary degree from Princeton University in May 2006. She was the co-recipient of the 2007 Community of Christ International Peace Award along with Virgilio Elizondo. Dolores Huerta is an Honorary Chair of Democratic Socialists of America.
She is the President of the Dolores Huerta foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to build active communities working for fair and equal access to health care, housing, education, jobs, civic participation and economic resources for disadvantaged communities with an emphasis on women and youth.
Huerta has been married and divorced twice. She has 11 children. Her recent pro-choice activities have resulted in criticism from Catholic Latinos in the Central Valley.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Equality California. On June 12, 2009, Huerta was awarded the UCLA Medal, UCLA's highest honor, during the UCLA College of Letters and Science commencement ceremony.
comments