News of the death of Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, spread quickly Wednesday morning, prompting celebrities who knew and admired the legendary labor leader to pay tribute to her on social media.
Huerta, 96, died at her home in Bakersfield, according to her family.
The iconic labor and civil rights leader, who stood small in stature but left an enormous legacy, co-founded one of the nation’s oldest farmworker unions alongside Cesar Chavez in 1962.
A former schoolteacher in California’s Central Valley, Huerta left her teaching career after witnessing the struggles of her students, many of them children of migrant farmworkers who arrived at school tired, hungry and barefoot.
Her determination to improve the lives of farmworkers led her to organize marches, protests and campaigns demanding better wages, working conditions and dignity for those laboring in the fields.
Actress Eva Longoria paid an emotional tribute to Huerta, whom she considered a mentor and teacher.
“Dolores dedicated her entire life to fighting for people, lifting up voices that had been silenced, and reminding us that we all have a responsibility to make this world better than we found it.
There will be an enormous void without her. A space that can never truly be filled. But the extraordinary thing about Dolores is that her life’s work lives on in every person she inspired, every barrier she broke, and every generation she taught to stand up and fight for what is right.”
Actress America Ferrera, known for her roles in “Superstore” and “The Lost Bus,” also honored Huerta’s lifelong commitment to social justice.
“Today I celebrate the beautiful and purposeful life that Dolores Huerta lived. I’m so grateful we had her in the world for 96 long years!! She undeniably made other people’s lives better and she ALWAYS showed up right to the end to fight with love and to dance with joy. May we carry her legacy in our actions and to the polls! She would demand no less of us! My deep love and condolences to her family and friends. Sí Se Puede!!!
Actor Danny Trejo remembered Huerta as an influential community leader whose work touched countless lives, including his own.
“She impacted my life and so many others, we will miss you Dolores ? We will never forget all you have done, and we will see your work continue!”
Internationally renowned chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, reflected on Huerta’s advocacy for the people who grow and harvest the nation’s food.
“Dolores Huerta showed us that change begins with the people who grow and harvest our food.”
“I will honor her legacy by continuing to fight for a world where the people who feed America…and the world…can also feed themselves and their families, with dignity.”
Andrés also invoked Huerta’s famous rallying cry:
Dolores taught us: Si, se puede…Together, yes, we can.
The legendary Mexican band Los Tigres del Norte expressed condolences on Instagram, recognizing Huerta’s decades of advocacy for workers’ rights and the Latino community.
“We deeply regret the passing of Dolores Huerta, an exemplary woman and tireless advocate for workers’ rights and the rights of our Latino community. Her life and struggle for justice and dignity leave a legacy that will continue to inspire new generations.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the labor leader, whose decades of activism helped transform the farmworker movement and inspired generations to fight for social justice.
