Dolores Huerta is the Founder and President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that works with volunteer associations pursuing social justice. As a renowned American labor leader and civil rights activist, she co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez. Dolores has secured multiple labor rights and social justice acts, including Aid for Dependent Families, disability insurance for farm workers in California, and the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975. Today, she engages in campaigns and promotes legislation supporting equality and defending civil rights.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:17] How Dolores Huerta’s upbringing in New Mexico and California shaped her activism
- [6:30] Dolores reveals when she first recognized discrimination
- [8:49] Why Dolores became an advocate for social justice
- [11:21] How to become involved in grassroots movements
- [14:09] Dolores recounts memorable civil rights movements
- [17:25] What is the Dolores Huerta Foundation?
In this episode…
Some people have dedicated their lives to championing social justice and civil rights, fighting for better outcomes for themselves and underrepresented populations. These individuals have carved incredible legacies and made lasting impacts on their communities and society. What can you learn from a pioneer who has advocated for the ethical treatment of laborers and citizens, and how can you follow in her footsteps?
Dolores Huerta first recognized widespread discrimination during her high school years when she was denied opportunities, accused of plagiarism for achieving straight A’s, and searched by police when walking home from school. Since then, Dolores has been called to perform public services by spearheading historical civil rights movements and supporting organizations that catalyze social change. She highlights the immense power of grassroots movements, stating that these efforts empower people to make meaningful differences in their communities through direct, nonviolent actions.
In this special episode of The Lawtino™, John Gomez, Jessica Lujan, and Augustin Pena interview Dolores Huerta, the Founder and President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, about her advocacy work for Latino communities and beyond. She talks about her ongoing mission to address educational gaps, her most memorable civil rights and labor movements, and how she began advocating for social justice.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Jessica Lujan on LinkedIn
- Dolores Huerta Foundation
- San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
Quotable Moments:
- “If you see someone that needs help, and if there’s any way that you can possibly help them, you have an obligation to do so.”
- “The way to be successful is that we’ve got to make the connections.”
- “Without you, the necessary changes will not happen.”
- “The people are the ones that are fighting to make this happen for themselves again, and we just need your support to help them.”
- “It’s really, really important that we set an example for others.”
Action Steps:
- Engage in grassroots organizing to address systemic issues in your community: Community empowerment is a proven strategy for progress.
- Recognize and confront racial discrimination in all aspects of society: Dolores Huerta’s experiences highlight the importance of acknowledging and challenging bias.
- Collaborate across professions to enhance advocacy efforts: By uniting educators and legal professionals, you can drive more effective social reforms.
- Support the work of organizations like the Dolores Huerta Foundation: Your contributions aid in articulating underrepresented voices and fostering change.
- Commit to public service or volunteering in your career: Dolores’ life demonstrates the meaningful impact of dedicating oneself to the public good.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.