Poder Latinx Mourns the Passing of Dolores Huerta, a Fearless Champion of Workers’ Rights, Civic Engagement, and Democracy
NATIONWIDE - Poder Latinx mourns the passing of Dolores Huerta, whose death was announced today, and extends its deepest condolences to her family, the staff of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, her loved ones, and the countless people whose lives she touched throughout her extraordinary life. A trailblazer in the labor movement and a tireless champion of human and civil rights, Dolores Huerta leaves behind an enduring legacy that helped shape our nation’s pursuit of justice, equality, and a more inclusive democracy.
For Poder Latinx, her passing is a deeply personal loss. We had the privilege of working with Dolores directly, and her leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to empowering communities left a lasting impact on our organization and the people we serve.
Through her participation in 2025 of the Poderosas Summit, Dolores shared her experience and wisdom with emerging Latina leaders in California, inspiring a new generation to embrace its role in advancing civic engagement, protecting democracy, and carrying forward the work of those who came before them.
The following is a statement from Yadira Sánchez, Executive Director of Poder Latinx:
“We are heartbroken by the passing of Dolores Huerta. Having had the privilege of knowing Dolores personally and working alongside her, I know that her legacy cannot be measured only by the historic victories she helped achieve, but by the countless lives she touched, the leaders she inspired, and the movements she helped build.
Dolores dedicated her life to fighting for dignity, fairness, and opportunity for people whose voices were too often ignored. She showed us that the struggle for workers’ rights is inseparable from the struggle for human rights, and that democracy is strongest when every person has the opportunity to participate, to lead, and to be heard.
One of the most meaningful examples of her legacy was her participation in our Poderosas Summit. She reminded them that they, too, have the power to shape history. She helped pass the baton to a new generation of women ready to lead, organize, advocate, and strengthen our democracy. That moment represented so much of who Dolores was: a leader who understood that the work is never just about what we accomplish in our own lifetime, but about those we inspire to continue it.
Dolores leaves behind a legacy that will live on in every worker who stands up for their rights, every woman who finds the courage to lead, and every community that refuses to give up on the promise of a more just and equitable future. While we mourn this tremendous loss, we also recognize our responsibility to carry her work forward by creating opportunities for emerging leaders, protecting civic participation, and ensuring that every generation understands the power of its voice.
We will never forget Dolores, her example, her wisdom, or her unwavering belief in what is possible when people come together for a common cause. We honor her by continuing the work she dedicated her life to and by ensuring that her spirit lives on through the leaders and communities she inspired.
‘¡Sí, se puede!’ Those words are more than a rallying cry. They are a promise and a reminder that the work continues. We will carry Dolores’s legacy forward, always.”
###