Civil rights activist and United Farm Workers (UFW) co-founder Dolores Huerta came to the John A. Wilson Building in Washington, DC on June 22, 2018, to record a public service announcement 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 Ms. Huerta's message.  She recorded the message in English and Spanish alongside U.S. Representative Franklin Garcia (D-D.C.-Shadow).

When recording the PSA, Ms. Huerta reminded those present that she first started fighting for DC statehood in the 1960s, when she visited the building for the same cause.  DC Councilmember Anita Bonds presented Ms. Huerta with a 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 and Cesar Chavez co-founded the National Farmworkers Association and in 1966, she negotiated a contract which made it the first time farmworkers were able to bargain with an agricultural enterprise.  As an advocate for farmworkers’ rights, Ms. Huerta has been arrested more than 20 times in non-violent acts of 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 U.S. 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, “SÍ, 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.

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