Dolores Huerta

Legendary labor organizer Dolores Huerta has died. Her family says the United Farm Workers co-founder, civil rights icon and feminist activist died Wednesday at the age of 96. With César Chavez, she co-founded what would become the United Farm Workers union. This year, Huerta shocked the Latino community and activist circles by revealing that Chavez had sexually abused her in the 1960s, leading to the birth of two children. Huerta said she'd kept it secret because she feared coming forward would compromise her life’s work and unravel the progress made. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Huerta a champion of working Americans.

Dolores Huerta fought for causes even in her golden years, when many others would be enjoying retirement. The labor rights pioneer died Wednesday from cancer at age 96. She lived up to her famous rallying cry, “si, se puede,” meaning “yes, it can be done.” She marched or spoke at protests, panels and other events into her 90s. She talked about issues impacting Latinos as well as other people of color, the LGBTQ+ community and women. Huerta was an organizer during every major election and encouraged voters and endorsed candidates. Her leadership has made Huerta almost a mythical figure especially in Latino and Chicano households.