American civil rights and labour activist Dolores Huerta, who dedicated decades to improving the lives of farm workers and other disadvantaged communities, has died at the age of 96, her family has announced.
Huerta rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s through her work alongside fellow labour organiser Cesar Chavez. Together, they helped establish the United Farm Workers (UFW), a union that became a major force in campaigns for better wages, improved working conditions and greater protections for agricultural workers.
Born in New Mexico and raised in Stockton, California, Huerta grew up in a region shaped by the agricultural industry. Her mother, who worked at a cannery at one point, influenced her understanding of the challenges faced by working-class families.
Huerta initially trained as a teacher after graduating from university. However, her experiences led her towards labour organising, where she became a prominent voice in the Chicano movement and campaigns for economic and social justice.
Her activism later expanded to include immigration reform, voting rights, women’s rights, gender equality and environmental issues. She continued advocating for social change through her foundation and remained active well into her 90s, while raising 11 children.
A family spokesperson, Erik Olvera, described the loss as deeply painful and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they mourned. The BBC reported that Huerta died of cancer.
