NewsLa OpiniónOctober 29, 2026Los Angeles County
Civil rights leader and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta dies at 96
Photo: La Opinión
Civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta passed away at age 96 in Bakersfield, California, following a battle with cancer. Los Angeles County Supervisors chair Hilda Solís ordered all county flags to be flown at half-mast in her honor. Leaders across California and the nation paid tribute to her decades-long advocacy for farmworkers, immigrants, and women.
Read the full story at La OpiniónWhy It Matters
The death of a foundational labor and civil rights leader marks the end of an era for California's farmworker movement and prompts renewed public discussions surrounding her legacy and her recent disclosures of abuse.
Key Facts
- Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, died Wednesday at age 96 from cancer at her home in Bakersfield, California.
- Los Angeles County Supervisors chair Hilda Solís ordered all county flags to be flown at half-mast to honor Huerta.
- Huerta co-created the phrase "¡Sí se puede!" and served as vice president of the United Farm Workers until 1993.
- In early 2026, Huerta publicly stated in a letter and interview that she had suffered sexual abuse by César Chávez.
- Huerta was arrested 22 times during civil disobedience and labor protests throughout her career.
- In 1988, a San Francisco police officer severely beat Huerta with a baton during a protest, resulting in emergency surgery to remove her spleen and a subsequent $825,000 settlement from the city.
- President Barack Obama awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
- Huerta's parents were Juan Fernández, a miner and former New Mexico legislator, and Alicia Chávez, a business owner.
Who's Mentioned
locationCiudad Juárez“Mexican city visited by Huerta and Solís to demand justice for feminicides.”locationStockton“City where Huerta's mother owned a restaurant and hotel.”PersonAlicia Chávez“Mother of Dolores Huerta.”PersonAngélica Salas“Executive director of CHIRLA.”locationDawson“New Mexico birthplace of Dolores Huerta.”OrganizationLa Opinión“Publication interviewed by supervisor Solís.”PersonHilda Marella Delgado“Consultant and friend of Huerta.”PersonJoe Biden“U.S. President.”PersonErika Olvera“Family spokesperson who confirmed Huerta's passing.”PersonKaren Bass“Mayor of Los Angeles who paid tribute to Huerta.”PersonHilda Solís“Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors who ordered flags at half-m”locationSan Francisco“City where Huerta was beaten by police in 1988 and later paid an indemnification”PersonJerry Brown“Former governor of California.”PersonDolores Huerta“Civil rights leader and UFW co-founder who passed away at age 96.”PersonGeorge H. W. Bush“Former Vice President whose 1988 campaign event preceded Huerta's police beating”PersonCésar Chávez“Co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside Dolores Huerta.”PersonGavin Newsom“Governor of California.”PersonRobert F. Kennedy“Former U.S. Senator present at his 1968 assassination where Huerta was present.”PersonXavier Becerra“California gubernatorial candidate who paid tribute.”OrganizationThe New York Times“Newspaper where Huerta made public statements regarding abuse.”PersonBill Clinton“Former U.S. President.”PersonBarack Obama“Former U.S. President who awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”OrganizationCoalición por los Derechos Humanos de los Inmigrantes“Immigrant rights organization in Los Angeles (CHIRLA).”OrganizationUnited Farm Workers“Labor union co-founded by Dolores Huerta.”PersonMartin Luther King Jr.“Promoter of non-violence whose teachings were practiced by Huerta and Chávez.”locationLos Angeles“California city where tributes were held and flags lowered.”PersonJuan Fernández“Father of Dolores Huerta.”locationBakersfield“California city where Huerta passed away.”