Delores Huerta

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, every school day The Cardinal will feature a prominent and historical Hispanic American, living or dead, who has worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes, who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

September 29, 2023

Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta also known as Dolores Huerta was born on April 10, 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico. Huerta is one of the most influential labor activists of the 20th century and was also a leader of the Chicano civil rights movement.

She began her career as an elementary school teacher before she became an activist. What led her to become an activist was the fact that she had witnessed the living conditions and lack of resources that farm workers’ children faced. In 1962, Dolores founded the National Farm Workers Association alongside Cesar Chavez, later the organization was merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers (UFW). One of Huertas biggest accomplishments was creating the Delano grape strike in 1965 which lasted 5 years. Dolores was a lifelong advocate for women’s rights, she helped pass laws that protected women from any discrimination within the workplace. In 2012, President Obama awarded her with the highest award any civilian could receive, it being the ¨Presidential Medal of Freedom¨ Dolores has received many more recognitions for her hardwork on behalf of women, farm workers and immigrants. Dolores to this day is still very involved in social justice and continues to speak on issues that need to be addressed and resolved.

About the Contributor

Yamileth Hernandez, Staff Writer

Yamileth Hernandez is a 17 year old Mexican-American that attends Hoover High School. Yamileth is graduating this year and is very indecisive about what her future could possibly look like, Yamileth's favorite thing to do is listen to music, and she uses music as a form of relaxation. Her role models would be all three of her older sisters because they have accomplished so much and she hopes to do the same. As of right now she doesnt know exactly what her career could be but she hopes to explore the medical field. Yamileth is very true to her Mexican side, because all of her favorite foods are Mexican dishes and can not decide which one is her favorite. What she would do to try to change the world would be to bring a positive and free environment where everyone is equal and appreciated. She believes it can feel unattainable but she also believes in our community and sees it as a goal that has to be met with the help of everyone else. What she believes society needs to do is be open to new things. Society tries to shut out a lot of people and ideas. She thinks a lot would be solved and it would make the world a beautiful place.