The name and story of Dolores Huerta should be taught in every school across America. A civil rights activist and labor leader for more than 50 years, Huerta has dedicated her entire life to equal justice for workers, immigrants, women, and people of color. She is most known for her work with César Chávez as a co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the labor union known as the United Farm Workers (UFW). Even those that aren’t familiar with her work and activism have most likely heard her famous phrase, “Sí se puede! (Yes, we can!),” which was the motto of the UFW, has been used in countless social justice campaigns over the years, and was the slogan of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
At 88 years old, Huerta remains just as engaged in social justice work as she was in the 1960s and shows no signs of slowing down. Through her foundation, she advocates for equity in education, civic engagement, youth development, and LGBTQ rights. She has been a vocal critic of Donald Trump and a supporter of recent social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter and the Women’s March. She has much to say about how we teach the history of the labor movement in schools and the need for current movements to come together and stand as one.
I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Huerta at She the People, a summit in San Francisco dedicated to celebrating the leadership and activism of women of color and recognizing the ways they are transforming American society and political life. In our conversation, she expressed an urgency around the organizing and political work that need to be done, but also hope and optimism about what’s next and the opportunities that lie ahead.
“To think that so many of these movements are being led by women … and women of color … I think that’s very exciting! And I think that the next march on Washington should be all of our movements together.”
Watch what Huerta had to say about what keeps her going in today’s political climate, the advice she has for young people today, and what excites her about different social justice movements coming together. She also gave some love to Daily Kos, saying that she loves and appreciates it for keeping people informed about what’s happening!
And to hear Huerta’s speech at She the People, click here.
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