NewsMyNewsLAOctober 28, 2026Los Angeles County
Labor Leader and Activist Dolores Huerta Dies at Age 96
Photo: MyNewsLA
Civil rights icon and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta died Wednesday at the age of 96 from cancer. Following her death, Governor Gavin Newsom directed state flags to be lowered to half-staff, while national and local leaders honored her decades of activism.
Read the full story at MyNewsLAWhy It Matters
The death of a foundational American labor leader marks the passing of a central figure in agricultural workers' rights, while state and local leaders prepare official tributes and public recognition for her legacy.
Key Facts
- Dolores Huerta died Wednesday at the age of 96 from cancer.
- Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff following her death.
- Huerta co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers) with César Chávez in 1962.
- She led a 1973 consumer boycott of grapes that resulted in the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.
- She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2012.
- In 2002, she established the Dolores Huerta Foundation for civic advocacy.
- Earlier this year, Huerta publicly alleged that César Chávez assaulted her in 1966.
- She was born Dolores Clara Fernández on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationCommunity Service Organization“Organization where Huerta founded the Stockton chapter in 1955”OrganizationUniversity of the Pacific’s Delta College“College where Huerta received an associate teaching degree”locationStockton“City in California where Huerta moved as a child and founded a Community Service”OrganizationDolores Huerta Foundation“Civic advocacy organization created by Huerta in 2002”PersonKathryn Barger“Los Angeles County Supervisor who commented on Huerta's legacy”PersonLindsey Horvath“Los Angeles County Supervisor who expressed gratitude for Huerta's work”locationDawson“Birthplace of Dolores Huerta in New Mexico”PersonJennifer Siebel Newsom“Partner of Governor Gavin Newsom, joined in issuing a statement”PersonKaren Bass“Mayor of Los Angeles who issued a statement honoring Huerta”PersonDolores Huerta“Co-founder of the United Farm Workers union who died at age 96”PersonCésar Chávez“Co-founder of the United Farm Workers union with Dolores Huerta”PersonGavin Newsom“Governor of California who ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff”PersonBarack Obama“President who presented Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012”PersonHilda Solis“Los Angeles County Supervisor who released a statement regarding Huerta's death”locationDelano“Location in California associated with grape boycotts and historical events”OrganizationNational Farm Workers Association“Predecessor of the United Farm Workers union, founded in 1962”OrganizationUnited Farm Workers“Labor union co-founded by Huerta and Chávez”locationLos Angeles“City where Mayor Karen Bass praised Huerta's work”PersonJanice Hahn“Los Angeles County Supervisor who wrote about Huerta on X”otherCalifornia Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975“Act resulting from the 1973 grape boycott led by Huerta”