Dolores Huerta: Changes in America

Shantell Ginger American Studies Mrs. Boyd/ Ms. Gabriel 2/17/2011

Dolores Huerta

Socially Huerta fought for equality and lobbied for people with less to have more and be more equal. Huertas main contribution to the civil rights movement was helping migrant workers to have equal working benefits, through her determined personality and the many organizations she founded. Migrant workers face innumerable hardships such as low wages, unacceptable housing, and lack of health care, yet to make matters worse, Mexican farm laborers are faced with the complete lack of regard of their lives as human beings (Rosas, 2). Cesar Chaves once said, Alone, the farm workers have no economic power, but with the help of the public they can develop the economic power to counter that of the growth (Casey, 1). This quote means that with the help of others, society will grow and become more equal. Farm workers will have equal economic power when the public lends a hand and helps. Huerta was very concerned about the conditions and struggles Mexican farm workers faced and wanted to get involved. One time Huerta received a C even though she did A work because, her teacher didnt think a Mexican was capable of doing that good of work without help. In Stockton California they were poor. Mom married James Richard and they started a restaurant. Huerta worked at schools to make activities like school dances affordable to anyone who could not afford it. Huerta taught children from farm worker families and became frustrated with the conditions they lived in. The kids usually did not have enough to eat, lacked decent

housing, and clothing. They also moved around a lot. Huerta lobbied to improve sewer systems and community centers. Huerta participated in social justice, community service and farm working (Prez, 2). There were many things that led Huerta to becoming an activist, these are just some of the things. Acts of courage by Huerta that brought about change was in 1955, Huerta met Fred Ross, organizer of the CSO and her life took new directions. The CSO attempted to help others improve their lives and neighborhoods by becoming more active within the community. For example voter registration drives, citizenship classes, and English classes (American History, 1). Huerta met Cesar Chavez at the CSO and joined forces with Chavez and they moved to Delano, California. Staring an organization called National Farm workers Association (NFWA). NFWA helped workers get unemployment insurance. In 1972 NFWA joined forces with American Federation of Labor-Congress of industrial Organization (AFL-CIO) and later became UFW. Huerta led the fight to permit thousands of migrant immigrant children to receive service (Dolores Huerta).

Many changes occurred as a result of Huertas actions; Huerta left teaching and cofounded the United Farm Workers (UFW). By 1964 NFWA signed up 100,000 worker families and offered benefits of community service programs, life insurance, credit union, and a store with discount prices. Farm workers also received $ 1.75 an hour and days off for farm working. In 1966 the NFWA boycott of grapes and a 300 mile march from Delano to Sacramento to call attention to the plight of farm workers. Impact of that change since that time includes; Union adopted a policy of nonviolence; Huerta was elected vice president for the UFW in 1972. Huerta mobilized other unions, political activists, Hispanic associations, community organizations, religious supporters, peace groups, student protestors, and concerned consumers across racial,

ethnic, and class lines in a drive to show support for farm workers and keep media attention focused on their cause. Huerta directed the UFWs national grape boycott that resulted in the entire California table grape industry signing a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the United Farm Workers (About Dolores Huerta, 3).

Huerta has been involved in the CSO, UFW, and NFWA organizations which have been the reasons why she was able to bring about change. Huerta acted courageously by going on strike and boycotting grapes and marching 300 miles to help change equality. It is not the skin color that matters its the work we do that matters. Civil rights in America is important because minorities were treated poorly and werent equal during the civil rights movement. Segregated public buildings, no longer exist. There will always be discrimination against people but without civil rights it would be out of control. As an individual, courage in the face of social pressure bring about change, because they are changing specific things and making the whole racial group change in societys eyes. People have a lot more courage and rights than they think.

Work Cited

Casey, Conor. "Symbolism and History of the Movement." J Paul Leonard Library Home Page. Web. 18 Feb. 2011. <http://www.library.sfsu.edu/exhibits/cultivating/history.html>.

Dolores Huerta. American History. ABC-Clio, 2011. Web. 27 Jan. 2011

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1701

Women of the Hall. National womens Hall of Fame. Web. 27 Jan. 2011