Dolores Huerta. (Brenda Verano/CALÓ News)
During one of my first assignments for CALÓ News back in 2023, I met Dolores Huerta.
She was speaking about water conservation during a news conference. I remember texting my dad immediately after the event ended with a picture of her and me — one that today I tried so hard to find and failed.
Throughout my time covering social justice and community issues in Los Angeles, I would see her again a handful of times in press conferences, movie screenings, forums, community events — every time feeling like the first time, where, more than star-struck, I felt lucky and grateful to be in her presence.
My first thought this morning after learning about her death at the age of 96 was the time I witnessed her speak. I remember thinking each time I saw her how many things she had seen, loved, fought for and embraced in her life as the mother of not just the farmworker’s movement, but a leader in the liberation movement for Latinas and women of color across the U.S.
The last time I saw her was in December 2025, during a screening of “Belén,” a film about abortion and women's rights, solidarity and the unstoppable movement for justice and bodily autonomy.
I look back at the video I captured of her that evening and I realize that at the core of her advocacy around workers' rights, LGBTQ+ issues, immigrant protections and more were women and her desire to see them flourish, empowered and unshakable.
“Unless women are completely liberated in every way, shape or form, we will not have social justice anywhere,” Dolores said that December.
Today I carry those words closer than ever. For I too dream of a future where women are able to live abundantly and without fear — of war, systemic oppression, sexism and patriarchy.
Dolores will be my north star when I think about a liberated woman who, even until her last day, spoke loudly and passionately about who and what she loved, but even more about the issues she didn’t align with and refused to conform to.
May her warrior spirit rest in peace.
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