America has lost one of the great leaders of the second part of the 20th century and first part of the 21st century with Dolores Huerta's death on Oct. 28 at the age of 96. Born in New Mexico on April 10, 1930, Huerta was the coleader of the farm workers’ struggles alongside César Chávez.
Her work as a civil rights advocate, her leadership in the feminist movement, her championing of peace and environmental issues, and her role as a model for several generations of Chicana and Latina women are all tributes to her significant place in history.
For decades, "La Pasionaria" (the passionate one) personified leadership, courage, commitment to the cause of the downtrodden and powerless, and passion for social justice. Still active into her 90s, Huerta
rightfully gained a major place in Chicano and American history.
Dolores Huerta took on Big Agriculture – and won
During the 1960s, while Chávez represented the public face of the farm workers’ struggle, Huerta represented the nuts and bolts of the movement. She proved indispensable on the picket line, keeping up the morale of the workers.
She was especially critical in getting more women involved in the strike and, through their influence, keeping the struggle focused on the principle of nonviolence.
Moreover, when the union increased the pressure on the growers by launching a national and international boycott of table grapes, Huerta spearheaded this effort by organizing the boycott outside of California in other U.S. cities such as New York.
Returning to California by the late 1960s, she assumed additional responsibilities as vice president of the union she and Chávez cofounded, the United Farm Workers (UFW). She became the chief negotiator with the growers when they finally agreed to talk to the union.
Her courage, tenacity and unwillingness to be intimidated by the all-male growers led to the final victory of the union and the signing of contracts with agribusiness. This marked the first successful unionization drive by agricultural workers in U.S. history. It was an unprecedented accomplishment, for her and all the workers who were involved in the fight for their rights.
There would still be many challenges for the UFW in the next decades. Huerta remained in the trenches fighting for farm workers to be respected as human beings and to be treated as such.
Huerta personified can-do spirit
There is no doubt in my mind that Huerta should be considered one of the great labor leaders in American history. She expressed her leadership in many other causes as well. These included the peace movement, women’s rights and voting rights.
After retiring from the union at the turn of the 21st century, she spearheaded the Dolores Huerta Foundation, aimed at building new generations of Latino community leaders to carry on her work. There were many sides to Huerta, but one thing remained constant: her unquestioning belief in social justice and democratic rights, and the ability of the poor and oppressed to achieve them.
“Si se puede” (it can be done) was her mantra and that of the farm workers she represented. But those were more than words. They were a credo that explained the way she lived her life.
On a personal level, it was my privilege to edit a book on Huerta, "A Dolores Huerta Reader," published by the University of New Mexico Press. She was kind enough to grant me two interviews published in the book.
One of these focused on her spirituality. As a devout Catholic, Huerta was guided by her faith – especially doctrines on social justice for workers. She told me that it was her faith that kept her going in her various struggles.
Huerta also loved to dance. A few years ago, we both spoke at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Bakersfield College, and there was music and dancing. I couldn’t resist asking her to dance – and we did.
It was a highlight for me, and I told my students all about it. I had danced with Dolores Huerta!
I didn’t know her well, but we acknowledged each other and I admired her tremendously. We are missing a full biography of Huerta, but it is my hope that some younger historian will take up that challenge to write it.
She deserves it as one of the great American leaders in the history of this country.
Mario T. García is a distinguished professor of Chicano studies and history at the University of California-Santa Barbara and editor of "A Dolores Huerta Reader."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolores Huerta changed America. She proved 'Si se puede' right | Opinion
