Honoring the life and legacy of a remarkable woman whose courage, compassion, and dedication to justice inspired generations.
Some losses are felt not only by the world, but especially by the families and loved ones who knew and cherished the person behind the legacy.
On October 28, 2026, Dolores Huerta, renowned labor leader, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, passed away at the age of 96. Dolores was also the great aunt of our own Rev. Jacquie Fernandez, making her passing especially personal to our UCOP community.
As we hold Jacquie and Dolores’ entire family in our thoughts, we take this opportunity to honor Dolores’s extraordinary life, her lifelong commitment to justice, and the countless people whose lives she touched.
Her story is one of courage, determination, and an unwavering belief that ordinary people have the power to create extraordinary change.
Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta was born on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico. She spent much of her childhood in Stockton, California, where her mother, Alicia, raised Dolores and her brothers.
Growing up in a diverse community, Dolores learned the importance of kindness, compassion, and standing up for others. Her mother’s generosity and involvement in the community helped shape the values that would guide her throughout her life.
Dolores began her career as a teacher. But as she watched children come to school hungry and without proper clothing because their parents worked long hours in the fields for very little pay, she realized that helping them required more than what she could do in a classroom.
She wanted to address the conditions that made life difficult for their families. That decision became the beginning of her lifelong commitment to community organizing and social justice.
In 1962, Dolores Huerta and César Chávez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW).
At a time when farmworkers faced low wages, unsafe working conditions, and little protection, Dolores helped organize workers and bring attention to their struggles.
She became a skilled negotiator and advocate, helping lead campaigns and boycotts that brought people across the country together to support farmworkers. Her work helped secure better wages, health benefits, safer working conditions, and greater protections for agricultural workers.
Her contributions also extended beyond the labor movement. She championed women’s rights, immigrant rights, voting rights, education, and equal opportunities for all.
Dolores faced many challenges throughout her journey, including discrimination, threats, arrests, and violence. Yet she continued to speak up for those whose voices were often overlooked.
She showed that leadership is not about having the loudest voice or the most power. It is about standing with others and helping them recognize their own strength.
Perhaps the words most closely associated with Dolores Huerta are “¡Sí, se puede!” — “Yes, we can!”These three words became a powerful message of hope, courage, and collective action. They reflected Dolores’s belief that change is possible when people come together and recognize their ability to make a difference.
For Dolores, every person had something valuable to contribute. She encouraged people to get involved in their communities, speak up about the issues that mattered, and take action rather than remain on the sidelines.
Her influence reached generations of workers, women, young people, and community leaders who found inspiration in her example.
In 2012, Dolores received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the country.
But perhaps her greatest achievement was helping people believe in their own power to create change.
In 2003, Dolores founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation (DHF) to continue empowering communities through grassroots organizing, civic engagement, education, and leadership development.
The Foundation carries forward her belief that people should have a voice in the decisions that affect their families and communities.
Through its work, the Foundation supports community members, young people, and families as they organize around issues such as education, health, safety, environmental justice, and equal rights.
Dolores understood that lasting change does not happen through one person alone. It grows when people work together, support one another, and take responsibility for building a better future.
Following her passing, the Foundation shared a heartfelt message of gratitude to the many people who have offered love and support. Its staff remembered Dolores not only as their founder and leader, but also as a mentor who made everyone feel seen, valued, and important.
The Foundation shared one of her most important teachings:
History is not written by the wealthy and seemingly powerful, but rather by everyday people who recognize their own power and take collective action to make changes in their lives, their communities, and the world.
The Foundation also recalled what Dolores would encourage them to do even in a time of grief: keep organizing, reach out to communities, and make sure eligible voters have the opportunity to make their voices heard.
Her message was clear. The work does not stop. It continues through every person willing to stand up and make a difference.
For our UCOP community, Dolores Huerta’s passing carries a special and personal meaning. She was not only an influential leader whose work touched millions of lives, but also Jacquie’s great aunt.
As we remember Dolores, we recognize the personal loss behind the public legacy. Behind the remarkable achievements and the familiar words that inspired generations was a woman who was also a family member, a loved one, and someone deeply cherished by those closest to her.
We hold Dolores’ entire family in our thoughts and extend our heartfelt love and condolences during this time of loss.
May the memories of Dolores’s life, the values she stood for, and the difference she made bring comfort and strength to those who knew and loved her.
As we reflect on Dolores Huerta’s life, we are reminded that meaningful change begins with compassion, courage, and a willingness to take action.
We may not all lead movements, organize large gatherings, or stand before thousands of people. But each of us has the ability to make a difference in our own way.
We can listen to one another, stand up for what is right, support those who need a voice, and help create communities where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.
Dolores showed us that when people come together with a shared purpose, even the greatest challenges can become opportunities for change.
Her life reminds us to keep believing in the power of people, to lead with love, and to never underestimate what we can accomplish together.
Dolores, thank you for your courage, your service, and the example you leave behind. Your work lives on in the people you inspired and the communities you helped empower.
¡Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!
Dolores Huerta’s life reminds us that one person’s courage can inspire generations to stand up for what is right. Her work continues through the people she inspired and the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which carries forward her commitment to justice and community organizing.
To learn more about her remarkable life, her contributions, and the legacy she leaves behind, read the official obituary from the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Dolores requested contributions to the Dolores Huerta Foundation to help continue the work she cared so deeply about.
Dolores Huerta touched the lives of so many people through her courage, leadership, and dedication to justice. If you have a favorite memory, message, or photo you’d like to share, contribute to submit your memory or blessings.
A selection of these memories may be shared during her public memorial services. Details about the memorial will be shared by email and posted on the Dolores Huerta Foundation website.
