Breaking Barriers: Dolores Huerta and her Legacy

By Gina Delgado, EdD and  Vivana López Green, Esq.  

Dolores Huerta was raised as a fiercely independent child. Growing up in the segregated town of Stockton, CA after her parents’ divorce, her mother, Alicia, saved up enough money to buy a hotel, where she would often provide free accommodations to farmworkers. This upbringing exposed Dolores to the harsh realities faced by farm laborers, many of whom were people of color who moved frequently in search of work. During this period, the Braceros program brought over 4.5 million Mexican citizens to work in the fields as the United States was in the throes of World War II. The conditions were so demanding that the average life expectancy of a farm worker in California in the 1960’s was just 49 years old. It was these circumstances, and Alicia’s commitment to helping others, that instilled in Dolores a strong sense of equality and ambition, showing her that women could succeed beyond traditional roles. This foundation played a significant role in shaping Dolores into the leader she became, particularly during the creation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) in 1962 and her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. 

Breaking Gender Norms and Leading as a Woman 

Behind every great man are often great women who are overlooked. As the co-founder of the United Farm Workers, Dolores worked with César Chávez as his right-hand woman, all while navigating the hardship of being a female leader in the mid-20th century. Her leadership style was unique; throughout her career Dolores was outspoken, bringing her unapologetic self to the negotiating table, working tirelessly to improve the lives of farmworkers, women, children and families throughout agricultural America. Her style of leadership did not come without controversy. Growers, politicians and other leaders would respond with sexist remarks by calling her “crazy,” with growers even calling her “the dragon lady”. Dolores’s leadership style pushed the boundaries of a male-dominated world, as she was one of the few female leaders in the civil rights movement. Women were supposed to be quiet, demure and were only supposed to do secretarial and familial work, yet Dolores conquered those expectations by not only successfully leading major strikes with the United Farm Workers, but she also raised 11 children. She played a critical role for advancing working conditions for women laborers while reminding male leadership that equitable gender policies were critical to the progress of the entire industry.  

Understanding community and uniting Latinos 

The 1950’s to the 1970’s was a time of powerful change and transformation for the United States. With the rise of the Civil Rights movements, concern for equality, justice and freedom for all were at the forefront of the political stage. Leaders needed to be in sync with their followers, and Dolores was no exception. She understood the unique needs of the Latino community and used Mexican family traditions and values as a powerful way to connect with audiences and further the UFW message.   

Dolores Huerta’s leadership strength lay in empowering everyday people within their communities. She leveraged the cultural values of comradery and family within Latino culture to build a supportive environment in the UFW. By engaging diverse communities, politicians and organizations, and emphasizing the roles of women and children, she broadened the movement’s focus beyond wages to include dignity and social equity, strengthening the UFW’s mission.  

The founding of the Dolores Huerta Foundation 

On December 3, 2002, Dolores Huerta was awarded the prestigious Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship for $100,000. With this award, Dolores set up the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Her foundation is a testament to her belief that people hold power and that, when given the right resources, they can flourish for the betterment of society. The Dolores Huerta Foundation offers various programs focused on civic engagement, education policy and community empowerment. These initiatives equip grassroots leaders, address educational disparities for at-risk students and mobilize historically disenfranchised communities through programs like Vecinos Unidos. Through these efforts Dolores Huerta continues to advocate for the civil rights of marginalized groups, including Latinos and others.  

The Presidential Medal of Freedom   

On April 26, 2012, President Barack Obama named Dolores Huerta a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award honoring individuals with significant contributions to the culture, security and national interests of the United States.  After receiving the medal, the Texas community of Weslaco renamed one of their streets in her honor: Dolores Huerta Avenue. Schools also renamed themselves after her, and in 2016, the Dolores Huerta International Academy opened in Fontana, California. In 2018, former California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill designating April 10th to be Dolores Huerta Day, a day to encourage schools to teach about her impactful activism and life.  

Conclusion 

Dolores Huerta is one of those rare individuals whose tenacity and resilience are unmatched. Not only has she helped countless Latinos fight for fair and just working conditions, but she has also broken stereotypes as a woman in leadership. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, Huerta was a force to be reckoned with, unapologetically serving as a female leader in a male-dominated society. Her unending passion for helping the oppressed and marginalized is exemplified by her lifetime of achievement and dedication, paving the way for future Latinas in leadership and beyond.  

Dolores Huerta’s legacy is just one of many Latinas who have dedicated their lives to creating transformative change. In honor of Dolores Huerta day, we are excited to bring you some exciting resources highlighting prominent Latinas in US history, such as:  

These lesson plans not only highlight exceptional Latinos throughout our nation’s history but also provide great insight into other important chapters in American history, such as the Braceros program, Latino immigration at the turn of the 20th century and unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. Download them today!  

References:  

Bruns, R. (2008) Icons of Latino America: Latino Contributions to American Culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group Inc.  

New-York Historical Society (n.d.) Life Story: Dolores Huerta (1930 –  ). Women and the American Story. Retrieved March 11, 2024 from: https://wams.nyhistory.org/growth-and-turmoil/growing-tensions/dolores-huerta/  

Sowards, S. K. (2019) ¡Sí, Ella Puede! The Rhetorical Legacy of Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press. 

Tellez, A. (2025) Dolores Huerta: A Life in American History. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Publishing Inc.