Dolores Huerta Dies at 96 After Decades of Farmworker Advocacy

Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the modern farmworker movement, died on Wednesday at the age of 96. Her family confirmed the death on Instagram, stating that she passed away from cancer at her home in Bakersfield, California. The relatives requested privacy during their grief and noted that plans to celebrate her life will be announced in the coming weeks.

Huerta’s career began in the 1950s when she worked as an elementary school teacher in Stockton, California. Observing the difficult conditions of farmworker families, she volunteered with the Community Service Organization. There, she met Cesar Chavez. In 1962, the two established the National Farm Workers Association, which eventually became the United Farm Workers. Together, they organized the 1965 Delano grape strike, a campaign that culminated in a march of roughly 300 miles from Delano to Sacramento between March 17 and April 10, 1966.

The march involved Mexican American and Filipino workers, as well as students, clergy, and civil rights activists. By the end of the journey, the group secured its first union contract. This victory led to a worldwide boycott that improved working conditions, including access to clean water, rest periods, and union representation. Huerta was arrested 22 times during nonviolent protests throughout her career.

Huerta’s relationship with Chavez, once seen as a model of partnership, took a darker turn this year. She revealed that Chavez had raped her decades earlier. She joined other women in accusing him of sexual abuse, with some alleging the assaults occurred when they were underage. Chavez died in 1993. Huerta told the New York Times that she remained silent for years because she did not want to damage the movement. "I never talked about it to anybody, and the reason I didn't is because I just didn't want to hurt the movement," she said.

Beyond labor rights, Huerta focused on immigration reform, a key issue for farmworkers in California's Central Valley. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She continued her work through the Dolores Huerta Foundation in Bakersfield. In April 2025, Los Angeles County proclaimed a day in her honor when she turned 95. A legislative resolution noted she was the mother of 11 children.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a statement honoring Huerta as a dear friend. Pelosi said the public responded to Huerta's rallying cry, "Sí se puede," which inspired many to believe in collective action. Family spokesperson Erik Olvera told The San Francisco Standard that relatives are currently focused on supporting one another. The family said many people around the world share in their mourning.