I am writing to express my sorrow at the news of Dolores Huerta’s passing; she was a dear friend for over 50 years. I hold fond memories of our time together, from staying at her trailer in La Paz and receiving housing support in Stockton as a young organizer, to learning how to understand and organize farmworkers. Over all these years, we always answered each other’s calls.
A highlight was speaking with her during the early days of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles for the “This Is Not A Drill“ Labor Day Program. We spoke at length about her background as a teacher, her work with the Community Service Organization, how she applied a community-organizing approach to organizing farmworkers, and the need to organize the working poor to build power. The Last time I saw her was in May 2026 at her mural unveiling in downtown LA, where she called my UCLA students onto the stage and gave me a shout-out.
Dolores fought tirelessly for farmworkers, women’s rights, and Black and Brown Solidarity. She provided essential guidance and support when I was organizing domestic workers in the Central Valley, speaking directly with homecare workers on my behalf. She was a courageous, authentic leader who made history through her unyeilding commitment to justice and human rights. Dolores Huerta, Presente!