# Labor Icon and Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta Dies at 96 The legendary activist who coined 'Sí, se puede' leaves a transformative legacy of justice. - **Source:** [Fortune | FORTUNE](https://brifing.si/source/769282ef-327a-4454-909a-3c7936216004) - **Published:** 2026-10-28 - **Topic:** [Leadership](https://brifing.si/c/leadership) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8dbac174-91dc-467a-952b-a86ee18903f3 ## A Legacy of Activism Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, passed away at age 96. Known for her relentless advocacy, she spent decades fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. Her family confirmed her death at home, marking the end of a historic life dedicated to civil rights and social justice. ## Origins of a Movement Born in 1930 in New Mexico, Huerta transitioned from an elementary school teacher to a labor organizer after witnessing the poverty of her students. In 1962, she partnered with César Chavez to establish the National Farm Workers Association. This organization eventually evolved into the United Farm Workers of America, changing labor history. ## The Power of Slogans Huerta coined the iconic phrase 'Sí, se puede,' which translates to 'Yes, it can be done.' This rallying cry became a global symbol of empowerment and collective action. President Barack Obama famously adopted the slogan for his 2008 campaign, highlighting its enduring influence on American political discourse and grassroots organizing efforts. ## Negotiating for Workers As a lead negotiator, Huerta secured the first health and benefit plans for farmworkers through collective bargaining agreements. She orchestrated nationwide boycotts of grapes and lettuce in the 1970s, creating the economic pressure required for California to pass landmark legislation recognizing the right of farmworkers to organize and bargain collectively. ## Personal and Public Pain In a 2026 interview, Huerta revealed she was sexually abused by César Chavez in the 1960s, a secret she kept for 60 years. She stated she remained silent to protect the progress of the farmworker movement, viewing her personal suffering as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of the labor cause. ## Resilience Under Fire Huerta faced significant physical danger throughout her career, having been jailed 22 times for union demonstrations. In 1988, she suffered a pulverized spleen and three broken ribs after being struck by a police baton during a protest. Despite these injuries, she continued her activism, campaigning for women's rights and various presidential candidates. ## Broadening Her Impact Beyond labor, Huerta campaigned for LGBTQ+ rights, poverty alleviation, and women's political representation. She became the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Her influence extended to education, with numerous schools across California, Texas, and Colorado bearing her name today. ## Defining a Lasting Legacy Huerta viewed her life’s work as an inheritance of justice rather than material wealth. Her career demonstrated the effectiveness of persistent lobbying and grassroots pressure in challenging powerful agricultural interests. By training generations of organizers, she ensured that her fight against systemic injustice would continue long after her passing at 96. ## Sources covering this story - https://fortune.com/2026/10/28/dolores-huerta-death-96-si-se-puede/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._