Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dolores Huerta

Discover the career path of Dolores Huerta, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Dolores Huerta is a prominent American labor leader and activist. She co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) with Cesar Chavez and Gilbert Padilla, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). Huerta played a crucial role in organizing the Delano grape strike of 1965, spearheading boycott campaigns and negotiating with grape companies. She's credited with popularizing the UFW's iconic slogan "sí se puede," symbolizing empowerment and collective action. Her lifelong dedication has advanced farmworkers' rights and social justice, solidifying her legacy as a transformative figure in American history.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1954: Teaching in Rural California

In 1954, Dolores Huerta became a teacher in rural California, where she observed that many of her students were struggling with hunger and lacked adequate clothing.

1955: Meeting Fred Ross and Joining CSO

In 1955, Dolores Huerta met Fred Ross and joined the Community Service Organization (CSO), where she initially participated in traditionally feminine roles but later took on more active leadership assignments, becoming a lobbyist and advocate for farmworkers' rights.

1958: Co-founded Agricultural Workers' Association

In 1958, Dolores Huerta helped found the Agricultural Workers' Association (AWA).

1959: Secretary-Treasurer of AWOC

In 1959, Dolores Huerta became secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO-affiliated Agricultural Workers' Organizing Committee (AWOC).

1962: Co-founded National Farm Workers Association

In 1962, Dolores Huerta, frustrated with the CSO's unwillingness to advocate for farmworkers, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) with Cesar Chavez and Gilbert Padilla.

1964: Move to Delano

In 1964, Dolores Huerta left her position with the CSO and moved in with Cesar Chavez and his family in Delano to focus on organizing efforts with the NFWA.

April 1965: Organized strike on behalf of rose grafters

In April 1965, Dolores Huerta helped the NFWA organize a strike on behalf of rose grafters employed by the Mount Arbor and Conklin companies.

August 19, 1965: AWOC and NFWA merged

On August 19, 1965, the AWOC and NFWA merged to form the United Farm Workers (UFW).

September 8, 1965: AWOC initiates Delano strike

On September 8, 1965, union organizer Larry Itliong of the AWOC initiated a strike at nine vineyards in Delano, prompting him to seek support from Cesar Chavez and the NFWA.

1965: Delano Grape Strike Organization

In 1965, Dolores Huerta helped organize the Delano grape strike. She managed boycott campaigns on the east coast and negotiated with grape companies to end the strike.

1966: Negotiations with grape companies

In 1966, Dolores Huerta successfully negotiated a contract with several of the struck grape companies—Schenley, Gallo, and Franzia—resulting in a contract favorable to the workers.

June 5, 1968: Attended Robert F. Kennedy's Victory Speech

On June 5, 1968, Dolores Huerta attended Robert F. Kennedy's primary victory speech, where he was assassinated. She later described Kennedy's assassination as "the death of our future".

July 29, 1970: End of Grape Strike

On July 29, 1970, Dolores Huerta helped secure a contract with the remaining grape companies, increasing workers' wages, adding new safety rules to protect workers from pesticides, creating a health fund named after Robert F. Kennedy, and turning the hiring process from the companies over to the UFW.

1972: Co-chair at Democratic National Convention

In 1972, Dolores Huerta served as a co-chair for South Dakota Senator George McGovern's California delegation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

1974: Founded Coalition of Labor Union Women

In 1974, Dolores Huerta helped found the Coalition of Labor Union Women, expanding her advocacy efforts to include broader labor issues.

1975: Passage of California Agricultural Labor Relations Act

In 1975, Dolores Huerta helped pass the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA), the first law to recognize farmworkers' right to collective bargaining in the state, while working as a lobbyist for the UFW.

1984: Awarded "Outstanding Labor Leader"

In 1984, The California State Senate awarded Dolores Huerta "Outstanding Labor Leader".

1988: Received the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award

In 1988, Dolores Huerta received the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award.

1993: Received Awards and Induction into National Women's Hall of Fame

In 1993, Dolores Huerta received the Roger Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award, the Eugene V. Debs Foundation Outstanding American Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom Award, and was the first Latina inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

1993: Return to UFW work

In 1993, after Cesar Chavez's death, Dolores Huerta returned to union work, supporting strawberry workers, speaking at colleges, attending union meetings, and testifying before Congress.

1998: Named "Woman of the Year" by Ms. Magazine

In 1998, Dolores Huerta was named "Woman of the Year" by Ms. magazine and was listed as one of the "100 Most Important Women of the 20th Century" by Ladies' Home Journal.

1999: Stepped down from UFW

In 1999, Dolores Huerta stepped down from her position as UFW vice president to work on other social causes.

2000: Received the Hispanic Heritage Award

In 2000, Dolores Huerta received the Hispanic Heritage Award.

2000: Worked on Al Gore's presidential campaign

In 2000, Dolores Huerta worked on Al Gore's presidential campaign.

2002: Founded Dolores Huerta Foundation

In 2002, Dolores Huerta founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) in Bakersfield, California, using a $100,000 grant from the Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship.

2002: Won the Puffin/Nation Prize

In 2002, Dolores Huerta won the $100,000 Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship.

2004: Endorsed Howard Dean

In 2004, Dolores Huerta endorsed former Vermont Governor Howard Dean during the Democratic primaries.

2005: Campained for Assembly Bill 19

In 2005, Dolores Huerta campaigned alongside California Assemblyman Mark Leno to pass Assembly Bill 19, which aimed to legalize same-sex marriage in the state but was vetoed by the governor.

2006: Speech in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage

In 2006, Dolores Huerta spoke in favor of same-sex marriage.

2008: Campained for Hillary Clinton in Democratic Primaries

In 2008, Dolores Huerta campaigned for Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries and served as a delegate for her at the DNC.

2009: Received the UCLA Medal

In 2009, Dolores Huerta received the UCLA medal, the highest honor bestowed by the university.

2012: Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2012, Dolores Huerta received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award given by the president of the United States.

2016: Implementation of Vecinos Unidos

As of 2016, the Vecinos Unidos system, part of the Dolores Huerta Foundation's organizing model, had been implemented in several rural California communities to teach residents collaboration and political engagement.

2016: Endorsed Hillary Clinton and Controversy at Nevada Caucus

In 2016, Dolores Huerta endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination and starred in an ad for her campaign. During the Nevada caucus, an incident occurred where she offered to translate for Bernie Sanders' supporters, leading to a controversial tweet and allegations of misinterpretation.

2017: Received the Presidential Medallion from California State University

In 2017, Dolores Huerta received the Presidential Medallion from California State University, Los Angeles at the university's 20th Billie Jean King & Friends Gala.

2017: Honorary Co-chair of the Women's March

In 2017, Dolores Huerta served as an honorary co-chair of the Women's March in Washington, D.C., alongside Gloria Steinem and Harry Belafonte. The march protested potential regressions in women's rights under the Trump presidency.

May 2020: Endorsed Joe Biden for President

In May 2020, Dolores Huerta endorsed Joe Biden for president after initially criticizing him for his comments on border crossings.

2020: Vecinos Unidos Raised Millions

In 2020, Camila Chavez reports that Vecinos Unidos had raised millions of dollars for infrastructure projects.

2020: Received the Ripple of Hope Award

In 2020, Dolores Huerta received the Ripple of Hope Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights.

2021: Spoke at Pride Celebration in Fresno

In 2021, Dolores Huerta spoke at a pride celebration in Fresno, California, advocating for LGBTQ rights and condemning discriminatory rhetoric.

2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris for President

In 2024, Dolores Huerta endorsed Kamala Harris for president.

2024: Supported California Proposition 3

In 2024, the Dolores Huerta Foundation endorsed California Proposition 3, which removed discriminatory language about marriage from the state constitution and affirmed marriage as a fundamental right, ultimately passing with voter support.