Working People Mourn Labor Icon Dolores Huerta
Labor icon Dolores Huerta died yesterday. Here is how labor organizations commemorated her life and work.
Dolores Huerta will forever be a shining example of the best of the labor movement, embodying the fighting spirit of our unions and workers for generations.
Her superpower was sparking workers to achieve what was thought to be unachievable. She was a catalyst for one of the greatest organizing efforts over the past century, catapulting the farmworker movement and ultimately winning huge victories that improved the lives of generations of working people. As co-founder of the United Farm Workers, she sat across from corporate agricultural growers and out-negotiated them to win historic agreements at a time when women of color were shut out of bargaining rooms. When fighting against an unjust, anti-worker bill in Arizona in 1972, Dolores responded simply, “Sí, se puede.” This became a rallying cry for the labor movement then and remains so today.
At her core, Dolores was always an organizer. Whether in the fields of California’s Central Valley or the halls of Congress, she spent every waking hour organizing for social and economic justice to build power for workers—someone who stood up in the face of violent anti-Mexican racism and deep-seated misogyny, who endured and overcame death threats, arrests, and brutal physical violence, to give those with the least a fair shot at a better life.
In her later years, she continued to be a champion for human rights, traveling all over the country to rally for women’s health, immigrant justice, labor rights and much more. Until the very end, she used her influence and powerful voice to continue fighting for those who were most vulnerable to exploitation and greed.
Every time Dolores was at an event or rally or picket line, she was surrounded by droves of young people, many of them women and immigrants, who looked to her as their hero. Dolores looked to them as the future. This next generation inspired her every bit as much as she inspired them. Generations of young organizers got their start in this movement because of Dolores. It was, without a doubt, her biggest source of pride. Those young organizers are her legacy.
Dolores will forever be missed, but her spirit lives on in all of us. She was, undeniably, one of the greatest organizers to ever live. The AFL-CIO sends our condolences to her family, friends and the millions of working people she inspired with her activism. Rest in power, Sister Huerta.
Actors’ Equity Association (Equity):
Today, Equity celebrates the life of Dolores Huerta and the decades of work she spent fighting for voters rights, fair contracts, and healthcare for laborers. “Si, se puede”—yes, we can. Dolores Huerta’s words and work will continue to carry labor movement forward.
Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU):
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) President Sara Nelson:
Our hearts are with the Huerta family and all of our farm worker siblings. Dolores Huerta gave us all of the empathy, care, and encouragement of a mother for workers everywhere, with a fierce love for people that fueled her principled, relentless, strategic action for results that lifted millions of workers and our families. She never gave up, she never gave in and she fought for a better world to her last breath.
Through courage and determination, she helped change what the world saw as possible, who the world saw as deserving of rights and dignity. Every worker owes her a debt of gratitude. It’s a debt that we must pay forward by continuing to fight for her dream of a world where no human is exploited and no injustice is written off as someone else’s problem.
We grieve the loss of Dolores on earth, but feel her strength in our hearts. And we know the extraordinary power she built by inspiring especially the most marginalized to own the power of our labor and act on love for our families, communities and a world big enough for all of us.
AFSCME President Patrick Moran:
Dolores Huerta spent more than 70 years proving that working people have power when we organize.
She led boycotts that brought growers to the bargaining table and helped win collective bargaining rights for farmworkers. Understanding that lasting change only comes with political power, she helped people with no voice overcome barriers to the ballot box. She fought for immigrants, for women, and for every worker who had been told to wait their turn.
Every AFSCME member who has stood up at work and refused to be ignored owes a debt to Dolores. She never quit, and neither will we.
We send our love to her children and her entire family. We will honor her by carrying on her life’s work: organizing working people to stand together and demand better.
¡Sí, se puede!
AFT President Randi Weingarten and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus:
Today, we mourn the passing of an American shero, a giant of the labor and civil rights movements and a remarkable woman whose extraordinary life was dedicated to lifting up working people, fighting injustice and giving a voice to those too often left unheard.
Dolores Huerta showed us what courage looks like. She stood alongside farmworkers, fought for their dignity and fairness, and reminded generations that working folks united in purpose have the power to change their circumstances. Her unwavering belief in the power of collective action gave us a rallying cry that will forever live in our hearts: ¡Sí, se puede!
We will forever cherish spending time with Dolores this summer at the AFT convention. Being in her presence was a powerful reminder that the movements we build are carried forward by the courage, conviction and sacrifices of those who came before us.
Her legacy is woven into the fabric of our labor movement and our nation’s ongoing struggle for justice. She leaves us with not only a remarkable history of accomplishments, but also the story of the personal struggle and sacrifice she disclosed in the twilight of her life. She taught us the responsibility to fight for working families, protect the vulnerable, teach our children and build a better future for generations to come.
Rest in power, Dolores. Your voice, your courage and your spirit will live on in all of us who continue this work.
¡Sí, se puede! Siempre.
Communications Workers of America (CWA) President Claude Cummings Jr.:
Our entire CWA family is saddened by the passing of United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta, just a few weeks after commemorating her advocacy and leadership during Hispanic Heritage Month.
For decades, Dolores blazed a path towards justice for immigrants, farmworkers, women, activists, and community organizers, and she will be remembered by millions for the impact she’s had on civil rights and the labor movement. She fought for marginalized workers during a time when no one thought her vision was possible. It was her tenacity for a better future that will continue to inspire not only myself, but also working-class people everywhere.
My prayers are with the Huerta family during this difficult time. CWA remains undoubtedly thankful for the opportunity to have experienced her wisdom, and we will continue fighting for workers’ rights in her name.
Electrical Workers (IBEW) International President Kenneth W. Cooper:
America has lost one of its greatest champions for workers’ rights and the dignity of all people. The daughter of union members, Sister Dolores Huerta devoted her life to uplifting working people and fighting for the civil rights of every working person. Her contributions to organized labor and human rights have immeasurably strengthened our movement and our nation. The IBEW joins with her friends, her family and the entire labor movement in mourning her loss and celebrating her tremendous legacy. Her voice will be deeply missed, but her spirit will continue to guide the labor movement she loved.
IAM Union International President Brian Bryant:
The IAM Union mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta, a larger-than-life human and a civil and workers’ rights icon whose courage inspired us all. As a farmworker organizer and co-founder of the United Farm Workers, she helped build a movement that changed lives and showed the power of people standing together.
At 96 years old, Dolores stood before the AFL-CIO Convention this summer and urged us to stand together when human rights are under attack. She called on labor to stand at the forefront of the fight for human rights and dignity for all, saying, ‘Labor is going to be at the front…of the march to make that happen.’ She also told us never to forget those who fought for the rights we have today, including the Haymarket martyrs who were hanged for demanding the eight-hour day. Later, on her own time, she met with an IAM member who had been wrongfully detained by ICE.
She knew the power of people. We will never, ever forget Dolores Huerta.
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Matt Biggs:
Dolores Huerta was a trailblazer within our labor movement and a leading champion for workers, particularly some of the most vulnerable workers in our nation. It would not be an overstatement to say that she was one of the greatest union organizers of our time, and someone who clearly understood that when we fight, we win. Whether it was leading the historic multi-year grape boycott that brought corporate agriculture companies to their knees, or leading the fight to beat back anti-worker, anti-union legislation while at the same time procuring legislation to give farmworkers the right to organize and collectively bargain, she was and will continue to be a giant of our labor movement.
IFPTE mourns her loss. We will always embrace and live by the rallying cry she coined – Si, se puede!” (Yes, we can).
Laborers (LIUNA) General President Brent Booker:
The entire LIUNA family is deeply saddened by the passing of our sister and a true giant of our movement, Dolores Huerta. Dolores was the absolute heart of labor solidarity, teaching us that when workers show up for each other day in and day out, we are unstoppable.
One in five workers in this country is an immigrant, and Dolores lived by the truth that an attack on immigrant workers is an attack on all workers. We practice solidarity at LIUNA, and we will honor her memory by waking up every single day and continuing her fight for working families.
Office and Professional Employees (OPEIU):
OPEIU honors the life and legacy of Dolores Huerta (1930-2026).
Throughout her long life, Huerta bridged movements while fighting tirelessly for farmworkers and their families. Until the very end, Huerta displayed courage, resilience and solidarity to the highest degree.
OPEIU and its members extend our condolences to the millions of people whose lives Huerta has touched.
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU):
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta, a fearless organizer and civil rights icon who helped change the course of the American labor movement.
Dolores Huerta dedicated her life to making sure working people were not powerless in the face of exploitation. She helped farmworkers organize, challenged powerful interests, and proved that when workers stand together, they can win dignity, respect, and a better future. Her fight for immigrant rights and economic justice helped shape a movement that continues to inspire workers and organizers today. Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) issued the following statement:
“Dolores Huerta didn’t just fight for working people, she helped show them their own power. She understood that justice is never handed down; it is won when people organize, stand together, and refuse to be silenced.
“At a time when workers are being pushed to the margins and immigrant communities are under attack, her legacy is more than a source of inspiration. It is a call to action. We honor Dolores by continuing the fight for every worker to have a voice, a union, and the dignity they deserve.”
RWDSU extends its deepest condolences to Dolores’s family, loved ones, and the countless people whose lives she changed. Her work is not finished as long as workers are still fighting for justice.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President April Verrett:
I’ve spent all morning thinking about what it takes to be the person in the room who keeps pushing after everyone else has made peace with the way things are. Dolores Huerta was that person for more than seventy years.
She started out as a teacher. She saw children coming to school hungry, and she couldn’t look away, so she went out to organize their parents. She raised her own kids on picket lines. She sat across the table from some of the most powerful growers in this country and walked out with contracts that changed farmworkers’ lives. And for much of that time, the credit went to someone else. She kept going anyway, because the work was never about her.
That’s what I want young people to know about Dolores. You don’t have to wait for someone to hand you a title or give you permission. You don’t need the spotlight to matter. Dolores gave a whole movement its words, ¡Sí, se puede!, and she meant every one of them. Yes, we can. Not someday, not when conditions are perfect. Now, with what we have.
Dolores understood something our movement can never forget: no one wins alone. Farmworkers and teachers, nurses and janitors, immigrant families and civil rights organizers, women demanding a seat at the table, our fights are united as one.
Our SEIU family knows that better than most, because Dolores showed up for us again and again. She marched with fast food workers in the Fight for $15. She stood on our picket lines and at our rallies. At 89, she was arrested alongside SEIU home care workers in Fresno, demanding a raise for the people who care for our elders. Our members, so many of them women and immigrants doing work this country can’t live without, see themselves in her story. We stand where we stand because she stood first, and because she kept standing with us.
So let’s honor her the way she’d want. Not with a moment of silence and then business as usual, but by doing the work.
To her children and grandchildren and the whole Huerta family, to the Dolores Huerta Foundation, and to every farmworker carrying her fight forward: we are holding you in our hearts. Rest well, Dolores. You did your part. Now it’s our turn.
The labor movement is stronger beyond measure because of Dolores Huerta. She was an organizing pioneer, especially in nonviolent direct action. She was a force of nature who masterminded boycotts, led strikes, and against what seemed like impossible odds, led the United Farm Workers to victory after victory.
Many UNITE HERE leaders learned how to campaign and organize from Dolores directly. Throughout her life, Dolores was a fierce ally of our union and was always quick to lend her voice and talents to our campaigns.
In the face of racist and anti-worker attacks, she remained dedicated to fighting for immigrant and worker rights. In 1986 during the Reagan Administration, she organized to secure the success of immigration reform legislation, winning a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. She was fiercely courageous at every stage of her life, including this year sharing her painful truths with the world.
We channel her SI, SE PUEDE every day across our union, in one-on-ones, on picket lines and at canvass launches. Sí se puede drives us forward with the confidence that together, we can take on any power that seems immovable. In that spirit, we will overcome the decades of attacks on unions and build a labor movement that is stronger than ever. And even when we are daunted and scared, we will stay the course by reminding each other: sí se puede.
Thank you, Dolores Huerta, for what you made possible, for the workers you sacrificed for, and for all of us who will fight on. May you rest in power.
United Domestic Workers of America/AFSCME Local 3930 Executive Director Doug Moore:
Dolores was larger than life, a force of nature, and yet somehow never made the work about herself. She was a leader in every sense of the word. She fought for all working people, regardless of where they came from, the color of their skin, or who they loved. She believed in the rights and dignity of all people, and she never stopped fighting for them.
Her work organizing farmworkers forever changed the labor movement in the United States and inspired workers around the world. That work continues today through the United Farm Workers and across the labor movement. Her legacy will live on with every worker organized, every representation card signed, and every contract won.
The world was fortunate to have a fearless leader like Dolores, someone whose example challenges all of us to do more. Her courage also meant confronting sexism and abuse within the labor movement itself. She never stopped standing up for what was right.
Our work continues, and through that work, we honor Dolores every single day. Our hearts are with her family, her loved ones, and everyone mourning her loss. She will be deeply missed, but her impact will never be forgotten.
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) International President Milton Jones:
The entire UFCW family mourns the loss of labor icon Dolores Huerta today. An inspiration for workers and labor activists everywhere, she organized farm workers through walkouts, boycotts, and strikes that secured unprecedented victories for working people. Throughout her life, she fought tirelessly for immigrant workers, breaking barriers and advancing the rights of workers everywhere. Her legacy reminds us that the fight for labor rights and immigrant rights are one and the same.
This past summer, Dolores continued to lend her voice to the labor movement, speaking at the AFL-CIO Convention in Minneapolis, the site of ICE operations that terrified workers and left two protestors dead. At the end of her speech, she led us in a chant of ‘Sí se puede,’ or ‘Yes, we can,’ the rallying cry she coined. She brought an energy and hope to the crowd that was nearly impossible to recreate, even in her 90s.
Now, as immigrant communities face renewed attacks, Dolores’s legacy must serve as a rallying cry for all of us to stand with our immigrant siblings and continue the fight for justice and dignity for every worker. We must carry forward her tenacity and determination in the fight for workers’ rights. May she rest in peace.
Utility Workers (UWUA) National President James Slevin:
Yesterday we lost a pioneering labor and civil rights leader whose life’s work transformed the lives of working people across the country. Dolores Huerta demonstrated the power of solidarity and collective action, helping workers win dignity, respect, and a stronger voice on the job and in their communities.
Her legacy extends far beyond the victories she helped achieve. It lives on in every worker who organizes, every union member who stands together for a better future, and every movement that seeks justice and equality. The impact of her leadership will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Writers Guild of America East (WGAE):
Today the labor movement mourns the loss of Dolores Huerta. The Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West honor a true champion of workers. Her legacy stretches from the historic campaign to organize farmworkers to speaking out about sexual abuse. Dolores has always been a powerful advocate for justice. The WGA was honored when she joined members on the picket line during the 2023 Writers Strike. Rest in Power. ¡Sí, se puede!
California Federation of Labor Unions:
It is with heavy hearts that we mark the passing of union sister Delores Huerta from the United Farm Workers at the age of 96. Delores was no stranger to Colorado—joining workers from across the state to build strong unions. She also returned often to educate a new generation of organizers.
She most recently fought alongside farm workers as Colorado’s legislature cut overtime by requiring farm workers to work a minimum of 56 hours before being paid any overtime. She helped pass Colorado’s Agricultural Worker Bill of Rights that finally required overtime pay for farm workers after years of racially motivated exclusion from those rules. That bill also granted collective bargaining rights and basic safety standards.
She helped the United Steelworkers in Pueblo as they fought and won the long strike against Oregon Steel. The fact that steel is still being produced in the city, and by union workers, is a testament to her and many other organizers’ work.
She was gracious and generous with her time. She’d complete a speaking event like the ones hosted at History Colorado with an exhaustive question-and-answer period followed by even more time spent with individual people who came up to tell their stories.
Her legacy is too broad and deep to be fully explained here. She was a fighter, an advocate and a sister. She will be missed.
Nevada State AFL-CIO:
The Nevada State AFL-CIO is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist and union champion who dedicated her life to fighting for working people and farmworker rights.
“President Liz Sorenson and I are only here today in our capacities as labor leaders because of the foundation Dolores Huerta created, ” said Executive Secretary-Treasurer Susie Martinez. “She helped pave the way for generations of organizers, and her courage will continue to inspire us to speak up, stand together, and never stop fighting for working people. We honor her life by carrying that work forward.”
Huerta’s legacy will live on through the generations of workers and organizers she inspired. The Nevada State AFL-CIO extends its condolences to her family, loved ones and all those who continue the fight for workers’ rights and social justice.
New York City Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith:
The NYC Central Labor Council mourns the loss of Dolores Huerta, a giant of the American Labor Movement who spent her life fighting for workers’ rights, civil rights, and justice.
Dolores understood the power of organizing, and she never stopped doing it. Just this past June, at 96 years old, she addressed the AFL-CIO convention. We were fortunate to hear her speak that day. Dolores reminded us that there was still so much work to be done. She spoke about the challenges facing our country, including unprecedented assaults on unions and immigrants, but she also spoke about the strength we find in standing together; and about her belief that we could come through these difficult times stronger.
And she ended her remarks with a quote from the poet Pablo Neruda that I think is especially meaningful in these times: “They can cut all the flowers, but they can’t hold back the spring.”
We’re grateful for her lifetime of leadership, courage, and commitment to working people. Her legacy will live on in the workers and communities she helped organize and the generations who will follow in her footsteps.
Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her.
San Francisco Labor Council:
The San Francisco Labor Council mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta, a legendary labor leader, fearless organizer, and lifelong champion of working people. Her death is an immeasurable loss to the labor movement, the farmworker community, and all those who continue the struggle for economic, racial, and social justice.
Dolores Huerta dedicated her life to organizing workers who had too often been denied a voice, fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity they deserved. As a co-founder of the United Farm Workers, she helped build a movement that transformed the fight for farmworker rights and demonstrated the power of collective action, solidarity, and grassroots organizing. Her rallying cry, “¡Sí, se puede!” became a lasting call to action for generations of workers and advocates for justice.
Her legacy also reminds us that the fight for justice must include the courage to confront harm, stand with survivors, and ensure that every person is treated with dignity and respect.
The San Francisco Labor Council extends its deepest condolences to Dolores Huerta’s family, loved ones, and all those whose lives were touched by her work. We will honor her memory through renewed commitment to the struggles she championed.
Rest in Power, Dolores. ¡Sí, se puede!
“We are heartbroken over the passing of labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who never stopped believing in Texas workers,” said Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor. “She believed that we could end anti-union laws in Texas. She believed that every person had the right to be who they wanted to be. And she believed in a better future for our state. Her legacy lives on in every single one of us, and she will continue to inspire the next generation of organizers.”
“The only way that we can really free Texas is to go out there and do an awful lot of work,” said Huerta at a 2025 rally in Austin. “I know people say the eyes of Texas are upon you – the eyes of the world are upon Texas right now.”
Washington State Labor Council President April Sims:
Washington’s labor movement mourns the passing of labor legend Dolores Huerta. A fierce advocate for farm workers, Huerta’s legacy is found in the millions of working people who have followed her example to step into their own power and organize for a better world.
As a founder and leader of the United Farm Workers, Huerta blazed a path for women, and particularly women of color, in organized labor. She expanded our idea of what leadership can be. For myself and countless others, Huerta showed that there is a place for us in our labor movement. She demonstrated the power of organizing rooted in our lived experiences.
The enduring strength of the United Farm Workers is a testament to Huerta’s vision for a more just world. We honor her memory by continuing to fight to make that vision reality for farm workers and all working people.
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement:
Today, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) joins the labor movement, civil rights leaders, and the Latino community in mourning the loss of Dolores Huerta, a beloved and unparalleled leader in the fight for workers’ rights and social justice.
Una gigante in the farmworker and broader labor movement. An unapologetic, fiercely compassionate civil rights activist. A skilled, lifelong organizer and mentor. Dolores was all these things and so much more. Her courage, conviction, and audacity challenged traditional notions of a woman’s place in the labor movement and inspired thousands of farmworkers to put their livelihoods, and even their lives, on the line to demand the dignity, fair pay, and treatment they deserved.
Dolores taught us that the fight for workers’ rights cannot be separated from the fight against racism, poverty, discrimination, and injustice. From championing women’s and LGBTQ+ rights to standing alongside marginalized communities, she showed us that organizing for justice is a lifelong commitment—and, above all, a labor of love. A labor that is often underappreciated. A labor that often asks more of us than we initially anticipated. But above all, a labor that is necessary and one that we cannot, and should never, carry out alone.
In response to this heartbreaking loss, Evelyn De Jesus, LCLAA President, issued the following statement: “Dolores, hermana mía. Today, we mourn your partida with heavy hearts. Thank you for being an indomitable powerhouse, challenging all of us to ground our work in radical hope and joy. ‘¡Sí, se puede!’ was never just a rallying cry; it was a testament to the extraordinary power everyday working people hold when they refuse to be silent and dare to demand more from life, from our leaders, and from the systems that shape our lives.”
Karla Pineda, LCLAA Executive Director, said: “I first met Dolores Huerta 22 years ago, during my first year at LCLAA and in the labor movement. Dolores was more than an icon of our movement; she was an inspiration, a mentor, and a powerful reminder that women, especially Latinas, belong at every table where decisions are made. She showed us that leadership is not about titles, but about lifting others, opening doors, and making sure the next generation has the courage and opportunity to lead. Her legacy lives on in every young organizer, every woman who finds her voice, and every worker who stands up for dignity and justice. Gracias, Dolores, por enseñarnos que ¡Sí, se puede!”
As we approach consequential elections this November, Dolores Huerta’s life’s work reminds us of our shared responsibility and power to influence the decisions that shape our daily lives. Grounded in this truth, LCLAA stands on the shoulders of labor giants like Dolores, whose legacy continues to inspire our collective struggle and joy as Latino workers in the United States and beyond.
While our movement cannot be reduced to a single person or moment in history, Dolores left an indelible mark on our collective efforts to forge a future where all workers, no matter where they come from or who they are, are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and have the opportunity to thrive, rather than merely survive.
We extend our sincerest condolences to the Huerta family and remain steadfast in our commitment to carry forward this work—leading with heart, humility, and the unshakable belief that together, we can and will build a better world than the one we inherited.
Labor Heritage Foundation:
“She showed us that we belonged at the bargaining table, that we could lead, and that our voices could change lives.” On tomorrow’s Labor Heritage Power Hour—the Labor Heritage Foundation’s weekly radio show—co-host Elise Bryant remembers Dolores Huerta—United Farm Workers co-founder and one of the founding mothers of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, which Elise later led. Dolores died yesterday and on this week’s show we honor her with a remembrance and a special Labor History in 2:00. “Rest in peace and power, mi hermana,” says Elise. “We’ll keep organizing.”