Existing comment:
Dolores Huerta speaking to a group
One of Dolores Huerta's most valuable contributions to the farm workers' movement was her feminist stance. Many Mexican American wives of farm workers were active in the fields, but their family responsibilities were of prime importance. Huerta, the mother of eleven children, challenged this paradigm by putting her family responsibilities second to labor organizing and inspiring other women to become involved in the movement. She advocated passionately for all farm workers but demanded that issues affecting women -- including sexism, child care, and sexual harassment -- be taken seriously. This earned Huerta the admiration of Chicanas and renowned feminists such as Gloria Steinem. On the role of women in the UFW, Huerta said in a 1974 interview: "One of the reasons why our movement is nonviolent is that we want our women and children involved, and we stay nonviolent because of the women and children."
Unidentified photographer
Gelatin silver print, 1972 |