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UFW Co-Founder to Speak

In recognition of César Chávez Day, Dolores Huerta, co-founder and vice president emerita of the United Farm Workers of America, will speak Tuesday, March 30, at 7:30 pm, in the BMU Auditorium.

At 73, Huerta still works long hours promoting the farm workers’ cause and women’s rights. She is also president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which helps low-income and underrepresented communities.

Raised in Stockton, California, Huerta is familiar with the conditions of farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley. She received a teaching degree from Delta Community College, but, after teaching grammar school, she left her job because, she said, “I couldn’t stand seeing kids come to class hungry and in need of shoes. I thought I could do more by organizing farm workers than by trying to teach their hungry children.”

In 1960, Huerta founded the Agricultural Workers Association, and she joined Chávez in forming the National Farm Workers Association in 1962, the predecessor to the UFW. Together they organized farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley, and when Filipino workers struck grape growers in 1965, the UFW joined the strike, known as the “Delano Grape Strike” that lasted five years.

For 30 years, Huerta worked with Chávez, negotiating contracts between farm workers and agricultural organizations to improve working conditions and provide benefits. Together they established the first medical plan, pension plan, and credit union for farm workers.

An outspoken legislative advocate in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., Huerta has been arrested 22 times for nonviolent peaceful union activities.

Huerta’s visit is sponsored by several groups, including A.S. Multicultural Council, Building Bridges, College of Humanities and Fine Arts, the offices of the President and the Provost, MEChA, and the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies. Overflow seating will be available in Harlen Adams Theatre.

Linda Moore