Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta was Born in New Mexico in 1930, Dolores would go on to become a leading civil rights activist. In 1955, Huerta along with Fred Ross co-founded and organized the Stockton Chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO), which fought for economic improvements for Latino/Mexican/Chicano migrant Farmworkers. Due to her dedication and willingness to serve, Ross often delegated huge responsibilities to her. He knew she was capable of delivering the organization’s message in Spanish and English and promoted the agenda from door to door field organizing “As she assumed responsibilities and stance that were traditionally held by white males, Huerta encountered criticism based on both gender and ethnic stereotypes”.She met Cesar Chavez in California while working for the CSO, and the two bonded. Together they formed the NFWA in 1962, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers. Huerta made a name for herself by leading successful workers’ strikes, and later with her work for women’s rights.
Now, in her 90s, she is the face of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, whose mission is to “inspire and organize communities to build volunteer organizations empowered to pursue social justice. Huerta has received several accolades throughout her career, including the inaugural Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights in 1998, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012
