Dolores Huerta dies at 96 after cancer battle

Dolores Huerta, a prominent labor leader and civil rights activist, died of cancer on Wednesday. She was 96 years old. Her death marks the end of a long public life dedicated to improving conditions for farmworkers across the United States.

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez. For decades, she served as a central figure in the movement that secured rights for agricultural laborers. She is also the mother of 14 children. Her career included numerous awards and a trajectory that began as the daughter of a coal miner.

In the final years of her life, Huerta remained an active presence in the Latino community. She frequently appeared at protests, rallies, and college events. She also attended art galleries and movie screenings to support emerging artists and filmmakers. Her schedule remained packed until recently, reflecting her continued commitment to her work.

This year, Huerta shared a personal history with The New York Times. She stated that Cesar Chavez raped her and fathered two of her children during the 1960s. She said she remained silent for decades to protect the labor movement they built. The disclosure drew widespread attention and renewed discussion about her role in the movement.

Gustavo Arellano, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, recounted a memory of Huerta speaking at a UNLV conference for Latino high school students in the early 2010s. Arellano was the keynote speaker at the event. He noted that the audience went quiet when Huerta approached the podium. She focused her short speech on the students, challenging them to improve their communities. The group ended with the chant, "Si se puede."

Arellano noted that Huerta charged a lower speaking fee for student events than other prominent figures. He recalled that organizers said she would not miss a chance to talk to students. In the 15 years after that meeting, Arellano ran into Huerta multiple times at various public events. He described her as approachable and willing to listen to admirers.

Their relationship became more strained in later years. Arellano said he criticized Chavez's opposition to illegal immigrants. Huerta called him to discuss the issue while traveling by train to a conference. She told him, "You have it all wrong on Cesar." She invited him to meet in Bakersfield, California, where her nonprofit is located, but they never arranged that meeting.

Huerta was known for defending Chavez's legacy for a long time. She also faced criticism from progressive Latino activists for her association with establishment Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. These interactions showed her as a complex figure who remained engaged in political and cultural debates.

Her death has prompted mourning across the Latino community. Many remember her for her energy and her dedication to young people. She continued her activism until very recently. Her work helped shape the modern landscape of labor rights and civil rights in the United States.

The Clark County connection is personal for many residents. UNLV is a major hub for Latino students and cultural events in the region. Huerta's presence at local events made her a familiar figure to many in the Las Vegas area. Her passing closes a chapter in the local civil rights history that began with her early work in the Southwest.