# Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of United Farm Workers, Dies at 96

> Labor leader Dolores Huerta, who helped start the United Farm Workers, died at 96, her family announced on Wednesday.

- Publisher: Briefzora (https://briefzora.com)
- URL: https://briefzora.com/dolores-huerta-co-founder-of-united-farm-workers-dies-at-96
- Published: 2026-10-28T21:48:36+05:00
- Author: Briefzora Desk (https://briefzora.com/author/briefzora-desk)
- Section: Politics
- Image: https://briefzora.com/uploads/2026/10/labor-activist-dolores-huerta-dies-at-96-rabgj2.webp

## Key points

- Dolores Huerta died at age 96, announced by her family on Wednesday.
- She co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez and advocated for farmworkers, women and LGBTQ rights.
- Huerta alleged she was sexually assaulted by Chavez twice in the 1960s, each resulting in pregnancy.
- California lawmakers called for removing Chavez's name from the holiday after the allegations, and Los Angeles renamed it Farmworkers Day.
- Rep. Ro Khanna praised Huerta's leadership in a post on X after her death.

## Why it matters

The death of Dolores Huerta marks the loss of a key figure in labor and civil-rights activism, while her recent allegations reshape the legacy of fellow activist Cesar Chavez.

## Article

Labor movement leader Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez, died at age 96, her family said on Wednesday.

"We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today at the age of 96," the family posted on Instagram. "As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family."

Huerta spent the 1960s championing labor unions and farmworkers and later added women's and LGBTQ rights to her advocacy.

Earlier this year, The New York Times reported several women accusing Chavez of sexual assault and abuse beginning at age 12. After that report, Huerta disclosed her own allegations against Chavez.

She said Chavez assaulted her twice in the 1960s, each incident resulting in pregnancy, and she placed the children with other families.

Huerta explained she delayed speaking out because she was focused on the movement and farmworker rights.

"The formation of a union was the only vehicle to accomplish and secure those rights, and I wasn't going to let Cesar or anyone else get in the way," she wrote. "I channeled everything I had into advocating on behalf of millions of farmworkers and others who were suffering and deserved equal rights."

The accusations added complexity to Chavez's legacy; he died in 1993 at age 66.

Following the revelations, California lawmakers urged the removal of Cesar Chavez Day celebrations and suggested renaming the holiday, leading Los Angeles to rename it Farmworkers Day.

Huerta, a California resident, received praise from state officials. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus said it would work to rename monuments bearing Chavez's name, and a March poll showed 51 percent of Americans would support such a change.

Reactions to Huerta's death flowed on social media, including a tribute from California Rep. Ro Khanna (D), who wrote, "Her courageous leadership in civil disobedience set an invaluable example in nonviolence. Dolores's memory will live on."

Huerta's family said they will follow up on plans to honor her life, adding, "We know that many of you around the world share in our mourning, and we will be following up on plans to recognize and celebrate her incredible life and legacy."

## Frequently asked questions

### When did Dolores Huerta die?

Dolores Huerta died at age 96, with her family announcing the death on Wednesday.

### What accusations did Dolores Huerta make against Cesar Chavez?

Huerta said Chavez sexually assaulted her twice in the 1960s, each incident leading to pregnancy.

### How did California respond to the allegations against Cesar Chavez?

Lawmakers urged ending Cesar Chavez Day celebrations and Los Angeles renamed the holiday Farmworkers Day.


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