Civil rights activist and United Farm Workers (UFW) co-founder Dolores Huerta came to the District Building in Washington DC to record a Public Service Announcement (PSA) in support of DC Statehood. “For decades I have fought for the rights of women and workers across our Nation, now I have come to fight for you in the District of Columbia,” starts her message. She recoded the message in English and Spanish alongside US Representative Franklin Garcia (DC-Shadow). When recording PSA, Ms. Huerta reminded those present that she first started fighting for DC Statehood in the 1960’s, when she visited the building for the same cause. DC Councilmember Anita Bonds presented Ms. Huerta with a DC Council Resolution honoring her many years of activism and support for DC Statehood. Dolores Huerta was born in Dawson, New Mexico on April 10, 1930. In 1962, she co-founded, with Cesar Chavez, the National Farm Workers Association, and in 1966, she negotiated a contract which made it the first time farm workers were able to bargain with an agricultural enterprise. As an advocate for farmworkers’ rights, Ms. Huerta has been arrested over 20 times in non-violent civil disobedience. On June 5, 1968, Ms. Huerta stood beside Robert F. Kennedy at a speaker’s platform in a hotel in California supporting his presidential primary election; the same night he was wounded by gunfire at that hotel. Ms. Huerta is a leading voice in the US and around the world supporting civil rights, and human rights causes. Presidents Clinton and Obama have honored her, including awarding her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ms. Huerta is the originator of the phrase, “Si se puede” (Yes we can). Her work and life have been featured in many films and documentaries. The latest feature film to highlight her life was the 2017 film Dolores.
Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta DC Statehood PSA -English
Activista Dolores Huerta Apoyando la Estadidad para Washington DC -Español
