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Chicana Activism

Name

Institution

Course

Date
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Chicana Activism

Dolores Huerta is an iconic leader who rose to prominence as the co-founder and

President of the United Farm Workers (UFW). She was a traditional leader who focused on

working with organizations to negotiate better wages and working conditions for farmworkers.

While considering the past, the United States, Grassroots activism and coordinated

demonstrations led to movements that influenced broader fights for social and political justice

(Bernal, 1998). When Dolores Huerta first became involved in advocating for farmworkers'

rights, she faced an uphill battle in gaining acceptance as a leader because she was a woman, and

the farm working community was primarily comprised of men. Additionally, her tactics—which

included non-violent civil disobedience, unionization, and other activism—were seen as radical

at the time and not accepted by many. She faced much opposition and criticism, and her efforts

were often met with violence and hostility.

In addition, Dolores Huerta took a different approach than the traditional male leaders of

the period, another reason why farmworkers did not embrace her as a leader. She was a woman

and a Latina, two categories not especially accepted in the labor movement during that period.

She was also a union organizer. For instance, Chávez is comparable to the hundreds of other

Mexicanas and Chicanas who participated in demonstrations and front lines (Rose, 1990). The

different paths to and uses of power by Huerta and Chávez, two prominent Chicanas and

Mexicanas in the labor movement are exemplified by their perspectives on and involvement in

politics, union activity, public visibility, and the home sphere, respectively.

Notably, the Chicano Blowouts/Walkouts women took a more nontraditional approach in

leading the movement for farmworker rights (Rose, 1990). In the annals of United States history,

the walkouts, also known as blowouts, were the first significant public demonstration against
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racism by Mexican Americans. These women utilized grassroots tactics such as boycotts,

pickets, and civil disobedience to raise awareness and pressure the government and employers to

change their policies.

The significant differences between how women lead and how men lead are often found

in their approaches to problem-solving. Women usually take a more collaborative and

compassionate approach, focusing on communication and consensus (Ziegler, 2023). Women are

typically socialized to prioritize relationships, while men are often socialized to prioritize

individual achievement and competition. Women are also more likely to take the time to listen to

those they are leading and to build relationships (Ziegler, 2023). Women are more likely to

prioritize communication and emotional intelligence, while men are likelier to emphasize logic

and rationality. Ultimately, while there are significant differences between how women and men

lead, the key is understanding the nuances of each leadership style and how to utilize both to

bring out the best in teams.

Notably, I am passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability. If I were

to lead a movement to promote environmental protection, I would take an interdisciplinary

approach that combines education, advocacy, and policy reform. I would take an approach that

emphasizes collaboration, communication, and compromise. Those who can collaborate and find

out something worth agreeing on drive the best developments. I am primarily concerned with

educating people about the facts and effects of environmental change, advocating for increased

public attention to ecological challenges, and reforming legislative and corporate policies to

promote practicable practices. By taking this approach, we can create a more sustainable future

for our planet. Finally, I believe in the importance of compromise and negotiation, as this can

help make a more unified front and a platform for positive change.
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References

Bernal, D. D. (1998). Grassroots leadership reconceptualized: Chicana oral histories and the

1968 East Los Angeles school blowouts. Frontiers: A journal of women studies, 19(2),

113-142.

Rose, M. (1990). Traditional and nontraditional patterns of female activism in the United Farm

Workers of America, 1962 to 1980. Frontiers: A Journal of Women Studies, 26-32.

Ziegler, P. (2023). 8 Key Differences Between Women vs Men’s Leadership Qualities.

https://bestdiplomats.org/men-vs-women-leadership-qualities/