Labor rights icon Dolores Huerta visited Hartford to receive the Living Legend Award at the 23rd annual Latinas in Leadership Symposium. The event, moderated by Connecticut Public’s Rachel Iacovone, highlighted Huerta’s extensive career in activism, spanning over seven decades.

Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is renowned for creating the slogan “Sí se puede,” which translates to “yes, we can.” This slogan emerged during a challenging period when the union was opposing an anti-boycott law in Arizona. Despite local leaders’ skepticism, Huerta’s rallying cry inspired many and has since become a symbol of perseverance.

Reflecting on her legacy, Huerta shared anecdotes from her interactions with prominent figures, including former President Barack Obama, who adopted her slogan for his campaign. She expressed pride in her contributions to significant movements, such as the Fair Food Program, which aims to protect farmworkers from exploitation.

Inspiring Future Leaders

At 96, Huerta continues to inspire new generations of women leaders. She emphasized the importance of courage in the face of criticism, recounting personal experiences of being told to prioritize family over activism. Despite initial familial estrangement, her dedication to labor rights eventually garnered support.

Huerta’s advocacy extends beyond labor rights to include women’s and reproductive rights. She recently joined others in speaking out against harassment within the labor movement, highlighting the need for women to assert their leadership potential.

Encouraging women to defy cultural norms, Huerta advised, “You have to have that faith in yourself that you’re doing the right thing.” Her message resonated with the nearly 800 attendees, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and leadership among Latinas in Connecticut.

Original reporting: The Connecticut Mirror — read the source article.