She found her calling as an organizer while serving in the leadership of the Stockton Community Service Organization. While teaching, she could no longer bear to see her students come to school with empty stomachs and bare feet and thus began her lifelong journey of working to correct economic injustice.

Huerta continued her education at the University of the Pacific’s Stockton College, which later became San Joaquin Delta College, earning a provisional teaching credential. She was active in numerous Stockton High School clubs and was a dedicated member of the Girl Scouts until the age of 18. She is the originator of the phrase “ Si, se puede,” and an inspiration to millions.ĭolores Clara Fernandez Huerta was born on April 10, 1930, in northern New Mexico, but she spent most of her childhood and early adult life in Stockton, where she and her two brothers moved with their mother, Alicia, following her parents’ divorce.

She also helped organize the Delano grape strike of 1965 and has received numerous awards for her community service and advocacy for workers’, immigrants’ and women’s rights, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The civil rights icon and labor leader launched the National Farm Workers Association – which later became the United Farm Workers – with brother-in-arms César E. San Joaquin Delta College alumna Dolores Clara Fernandez Huerta helped change history.

Dolores huerta united farm workers