‘A guiding light’: California leaders honor civil rights icon Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta spent the majority of her life advocating for the rights of just about every marginalized group. Much of her activism was rooted in California, from the beginning of the farmworker movement in the Central Valley to her last days campaigning throughout the state against a voter identification proposition that could disproportionately affect Latinos. 

When Huerta’s family announced her death Wednesday morning, California leaders immediately began paying their respects. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered flags be flown at half-staff in Huerta’s honor.

“[Huerta] never faltered in fighting for a fairer world, continually reminding us of our shared responsibility to build a world where everyone has the respect and dignity they deserve,” Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said in a joint statement. “Because of her – and her iconic declaration, ‘Sí, se puede ’ – nothing was impossible.”

Los Angeles County District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis said Huerta “was a source of strength” throughout her career, adding that Huerta’s constant presence as a labor leader helped pave the way for other women in public service.

“She didn't simply open doors for women like me,” Sen. Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) said in a statement. “She taught us that we had the power to open them for others … [Huerta] gave us more than a rallying cry. She gave us a responsibility to one another. We will carry that responsibility forward.”

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Democrat representing the agricultural region of Salinas, said Huerta “gave voice to the voiceless, dignity to the fields and hope to generations.”

“[Huerta] dedicated her life to fighting for working families, advancing civil rights and making sure our most vulnerable communities had a voice,” Sen. Lena Gonzalez said on behalf of the Legislative Latino Caucus. “Her courage and determination paved the way for generations of Latinos, and her legacy is woven into the fabric of California.”

“¡Adiós, Dolores! You were everywhere,” gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra wrote in a statement. “You did everything. Y lo hiciste con ganas y corazón … si se pudo.”

Huerta never wavered in her activism, campaigning in her last days and urging Californians to get out and vote.

“We mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, a guiding light, a mentor to thousands and someone who demonstrated to all what it means to fight for justice all the way to the last day of her life,” CHIRLA Executive Director Angelica Salas said in a statement.

“[Huerta] had the fortitude and wisdom, even to her last days, to keep uplifting the millions of voices she knew needed to be heard … she felt in her core that injustice had to be fought 24/7.”