Janeth N. & Angel Z.

Dolores Huerta
Dolores Clara Fernndez, known as Dolores Huerta, was born April 10, 1930 in Dawson, New
Mexico. Having activist parents influenced her to become an activist herself. After her parents divorced, she
watched her mother, Alicia Chavez, struggle being a single mother. Her father, Juan Fernandez, was a
union activist who ran for political office and won a seat in the New Mexico congress in 19381. When Dolores
Huerta moved to Stockton, California with her brother and mother after the divorce, she joined numerous
school clubs. Huerta inspired to fight for workers rights as she was a teacher, and she noticed that many of
her students were showing up to school ill or bony.2
A year after launching the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), Huerta secured disability
insurance for California Farm workers, and Aid for Independent families, a Federal assistance program until
1996. In 1965 a group of Filipino workers went on strike for better working conditions a cause that became
known as the Delano Grape Strike. Huerta suggested to Chavez that the National Farm Workers
Association boycott all California table grapes. In 1970, the grape industry signed an agreement that
increased wages and improved working conditions.3 Huerta stated I thought I could do more by organizing
farm workers than teaching their hungry children. Dolores had many successes including the strikes
against California grape growers in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1999, Huerta stepped down from her position
at the United Farm Workers Association (UFWA), and she continued to improve the lives of workers,
immigrants and women.4
In the early 1950s Huerta attended at the University of the Pacifics Delta Community College and
earned a teaching degree. In the 1960s, Dolores created the Agricultural Workers Association (AWA). She
had lobbied politicians on many issues, including allowing immigrant workers U.S Citizenship to receive
Public assistance, pensions creating spanish language voting ballots and driving tests.5 When she started
teaching grammar school, she was worried about seeing her children walking into class without shoes on
their feet, and no food in their stomachs, hearing them complain and her not able to help them. Huerta
stated I quit because I couldnt stand seeing kids come to class hungry and needing shoes. I thought I
could do more by organizing farm workers than by trying to teach
their hungry children.6
At the age of 70 Huerta had been arrested 22 times. During her protesting years one incident had
accurred. When she was 58 years old, her ribs and spleen were broken by police in San Francisco. Huerta
still sacrifices herself for immigrants,workers, and women.7 Her heroic service has not only helped improve
the living and working condition of field worker families. Dolores has inspired many others to continue risking
their comfort for the sake of others. La marcha no ha terminado. The march is not over.-Dolores Huerta8

"National Women's History Museum." Education & Resources. N.p., n.d.

"Dolores Huerta." Dolores Huerta Foundation. N.p., 16 Nov. 2013.
3
Piedra, Denise. "Dolores Huerta." Prezi.com. Prezi, 4 Apr. 2014
4
Jr., Ruben Navarrette. "The Shameless

Dolores Huerta." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, n.d.

5
Napa, Ruth. "The My Hero Project

- Dolores Huerta." Myhero.com. The My Hero Project, 17 June 2010.

6
Dolores Huerta: Cesar Chavez' Partner In Founding, and 115. DOLORES HUERTA: CESAR CHAVEZ'
PARTNER IN FOUNDING THE UNITED FARM
WORKERS UNION IN CALIFORNIA (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
7
ile, J. "A Lifetime of
K
Relentless Sacrifice." Moral Heroes. N.p., 23 Mar. 2015. Web.
8
Jr., Ruben Navarrette. "The Shameless

Dolores Huerta." The Daily Beast. Newsweek/Daily Beast, n.d.

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