Disability Rights California mourns the loss of civil rights activist, labor rights activist, and community organizer Dolores Huerta. Her legacy is one of resilience and tenacity in her fight for the rights of many intersecting marginalized groups in California, including Latinos, workers, women, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ communities and more.  

In 1962, Dolores co-founded what is now known as the United Farm Workers (UFW) foundation with Cesar Chavez. Dolores led negotiations for better contracts for workers, safer working conditions, and the elimination of harmful pesticides. She is credited with leading the 1973 consumer boycott of grapes, which resulted in the groundbreaking California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, allowing farm workers to unionize. During this strike, Dolores coined the famous rallying chant, “Sí, se puede,” or “Yes, we can.” 

Dolores was honored with several prominent awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. 

“Today we lost the body of an exemplary warrior in our community, but her soul, spirit, teachings, and strength remain within us. Dolores Huerta taught us the importance of the power of the people's voice. I have remembered her since I was a child, as the daughter of farmworkers, and her courage inspired me to fight alongside her for our people,” said Vanessa Ochoa, Special Advisor to Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement (SPACE) at DRC. “As a woman, mother, and leader, she was and will continue to be my example of strength and for many girls! Yes, we can! We continue her work for our Latinx community with disabilities.” 

“Hoy perdimos el cuerpo de una Guerrera ejemplar en nuestra comunidad, pero su alma espíritu enseñanzas y fuerza sigue dentro de nosotros. Dolores Huerta nos enseño la importancia del poder de la voz del Pueblo. Yo la recuerdo desde que yo era niña, como hija de campesinos y su valor me inspiro a luchar con ella por nuestra gente. ¡Como mujer madre y líder ella fue y seguirá siendo mi ejemplo de fuerza y para muchas niñas! Si se puede! Continuamos su trabajo por nuestra comunidad Latinx con discapacidades.” 

Dolores continued her work through the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF), where grassroots organizing efforts are made to amplify the voices of those most affected by inequity. The goal of DHF is to get people involved in democracy and their communities. This was exemplified by Dolores’ recent advocacy to get folks to vote in the upcoming 2026 general elections.  

She was a strong disability ally, partnering with DRC several times as an advocate in the state legislature. She understood that her voice had power and wielded it thoughtfully and with strength.  

In 2025, DRC was honored to present Dolores with the California State Leadership Award at our annual gala. Dolores shared remarks that were read by her daughter at the ceremony. “Now more than ever we need to stand strong and continue to fight,” Dolores said. “Not too long ago, people with disabilities were institutionalized and people with disabilities have broken so many barriers.” 

DRC is humbled to honor Dolores’s incredible life of service, justice, and people power.  

For more information on Dolores’s life and legacy, you can learn more here: 

• Dolores Huerta Foundation
• Documentary film “Dolores”
• United Farm Workers Foundation

Media Contact

Eric Harris
Associate Executive Director of External Affairs, Disability Rights California
(916) 504-5940
Eric.Harris@disabilityrightsca.org

Disability Rights California (DRC) – Is the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities. The mission of DRC is to defend, advance, and strengthen the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.