Dolores C. Huerta (born April 10, 1930) is the co-founder and First Vice President Emeritus of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW).
She was born in the mining town of Dawson, New Mexico where her father, Juan Fernandez, was a miner, field worker, union activist and state legislator. Her parents divorced when she was three years old. Her mother, Alicia Chavez, raised Dolores, along with her two brothers, and two sisters, in the central San Joaquin Valley farmworker community of Stockton, California. Her mother was a businesswoman who owned a restaurant and a 70-room hotel that often put up farmworker families for free.
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 United Farm Workers Organizing Committee and still later, the UFW. 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.
Dolores 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.
She has been highly politically active, lobbying in favor of (and against) numerous California and federal laws. The laws that she supported included:
As an advocate for farmworkers' rights, Huerta has been arrested twenty-two times for participating in non-violent civil disobedience activities and strikes. Huerta's organizing and lobbying efforts are often overshadowed by those of Cesar Chávez, who is revered by many (especially Chicanos) as the primary figure of the Chicano civil rights movement. She remains active in progressive causes, and serves on the boards of People For the American Way and Feminist Majority Foundation.
In September of 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. The baton-beating caused significant internal injuries to her torso, resulting in several broken ribs and necessitating the removal of her spleen in emergency surgery. The beating was caught on videotape and broadcast widely on local television news, including the clear ramming of the butt end of a baton into Huerta's torso by one of the helmeted officers. 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. The assault is credited with starting yet another movement to change SFPD crowd-control policies, as well as the manner in which officer discipline is handled.
In recognition of her achievements, she received an honorary degree from Princeton University in May 2006. She was lauded in the ceremony: "Through her insatiable hunger of justice —La Causa— and her tireless advocacy, she has devoted her life to creative, compassionate, and committed citizenship".
In April 2006, Huerta was invited to speak at Tucson High School, "to inspire students," who were preparing for important tests. During her speech she "encouraged students to march in protest of federal lawmakers' attempt to crack down on illegal immigration," and twice implied that "Republicans hate Latinos". blank">(obsolete link) April 20, 2006 article in the _Arizona Republic. Her speech was criticized by the school district's superintendent for containing "stereotyping groups." blank">Tucson High student objects to hate speech at assembly and her comments were characterized as "hate speech" by Republican _Arizona State Representative Jonathan Paton.
She has been designated as 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. The Dolores Huerta Foundation is a 501(c)(3) “non-profit organization whose mission is to build active communities working for fair and equal access to healthcare, housing, education, jobs, civic participation and economic resources for disadvantaged communities with an emphasis on women and youth.” See. Http://www.doloreshuerta.org
On May 18 2007 she announced her endorsment of Hillary Clinton for president. Human Rights Leader Dolores Huerta Endorses Clinton, May 18, 2007, Clinton campaign news release.
Huerta has been married and divorced twice. She has 11 children. Murcia, Rebecca Thatcher. Dolores Huerta. Bear, Delaware: Mitchell Lane Publishers, (2003). ISBN 1-58415-155-2 Her recent pro-abortion activities has resulted in criticism from Catholic Latinos in the Central Valley. http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=1ae4e900-ba0b-44ef-ad83-3c4207e0fe4f
