Sur Legal Collaborative mourns the loss of Dolores Huerta, a pioneering labor-rights organizer and activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers union and inspired millions to fight for their workplace rights.

Just this March, at the age of 96, Dolores continued to break down barriers by sharing the painful truth of Cesar Chavez’s sexual abuse against her and her decades of silence to prevent harm to the movement for farmworkers' rights. By sharing her truth, Dolores provided so many women and survivors around the world with the courage, strength, and inspiration to do the same and to feel less alone. As our Co-Founder, Shelly Anand, shared in a post on LinkedIn shortly after Dolores shared her own workplace sexual violence story: “Sexual violence in the workplace is an epidemic -- whether it's on farms, in labor organizing and movement spaces, corporations, or courtrooms. Sexual abuse against working women and femmes is an occupational safety and health hazard. Every organization --- whether it's a farm, a factory floor, a union, grassroots organizations, a hospital, a corporate office, or a law firm --- has an obligation to ensure that women and femmes are safe from sexual abuse and harassment, and that they can safely and confidentially come forward without fear of retribution or "destroying" movements. Thank you, Dolores, for sharing your truth. May we all fight like hell to stop sexual violence against women in our workplaces.” Thank you, Dolores, por todo. Rest in Power. “Dolores taught us that our dignity is worth fighting for, that power comes from collective organizing, and that when we stand united, change is possible. As Latinas, we are often taught to keep the peace and put out fires around us, even while a fire burns inside of us. Dolores showed us how to use it to lead, build power, and demand justice. Yes, we can! Si, se puede!” —Lucia Gambino, Bilingual Workers' Rights Organizer