“Dolores Huerta’s courageous life inspires me daily to continue fighting for the rights of our children and families so they have stronger, healthier futures,” said Congresswoman Solis.

Huerta was born in Dawson, N.M., and was raised along with her four siblings in California’s agriculture San Joaquin Valley where she witnessed how her mother helped local, poverty-stricken farmworker families. She is best known for her commitment and strength in advocating to help farmworkers attain social justice and freedom from poor housing, discrimination, low wages, and limited education opportunities.

After earning a teaching credential from Delta College, Huerta was motivated to become a public servant and community leader after seeing her students suffer from hunger and poverty. In 1962 Huerta joined with Cesar Chavez to found the organization that later become United Farm Workers (UFW), an organization dedicated to garnering better wages, working conditions and respect for farmworkers.

Dolores is a mother of 11 children and has 14 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was introduced into the Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993 for her relentless dedication to farmworkers. In addition, she was awarded the Eleanor D. Roosevelt Human Rights Award by former President Bill Clinton in 1998.