World · North America · 1 hr ago
Dolores Huerta, influential labor and civil rights leader, dies at 96
Dolores Huerta died at 96, her family said, at home on Wednesday.
She was a leading labor and civil rights activist in the United States, with decades of work in California and across the country.
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers to improve conditions for people working in fruit and vegetable fields.
She also coined “Sí, se puede!”, meaning “Yes, it can be done,” a slogan that became a widely used rallying cry.
Her activism included work on race, poverty, LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights, and she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Huerta disclosed this year that César Chavez sexually abused her in the 1960s and that she had two children as a result, a secret she said she had kept for 60 years.
Dolores Huerta, a prominent labor and civil rights leader, has died at 96, her family said.
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with César Chavez and campaigned for farmworkers’ rights.
She coined “Sí, se puede!”, a slogan that became a widespread rallying cry.
Her decades of activism included work on race, poverty, LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.
Earlier in 2026, Huerta disclosed that Chavez had sexually abused her in the 1960s.
- Who
- Dolores Huerta, labor and civil rights leader and United Farm Workers co-founder.
- What
- She died at 96.
- When
- Wednesday; the sources give no calendar date for her death.
- Where
- At home, her family said. The sources do not specify the location.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Huerta was born in Dawson, New Mexico.
Huerta and César Chavez started the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers of America.
President Barack Obama presented Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Huerta disclosed that Chavez had sexually abused her in the 1960s.
Huerta died at home at age 96, her family said.
- Age
- 96
- Birthplace
- Dawson, New Mexico
- Union
- United Farm Workers
- Co-founder
- César Chavez
- Slogan
- Sí, se puede!
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom, presented in 2012
5 sources
Dolores Huerta, champion of migrant workers’ rights, dead at 96
US civil rights leader Dolores Huerta dies aged 96
Dolores Huerta, influential labor leader, feminist and civil rights icon, dies at 96
Dolores Huerta, United Farmworkers co-founder and civil rights icon, has died
Dolores Huerta, Who Founded United Farm Workers With Cesar Chavez, Dies
What people are saying
It was my personal pain, it was my personal problem and, you know, I think it was worth it because it was my cross to bear. I'll say it that way.
I couldn't stand seeing kids come to class hungry and needing shoes.
I thought I could do more by organizing farmworkers than by trying to teach their hungry children.
As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family.