Santa Barbara residents gathered this week to celebrate the life and legacy of Dolores Huerta, the 96‑year‑old labor organizer who co‑founded the United Farm Workers and championed farmworkers’ rights for decades.

Local tribute and reflections

NewsChannel reporter Mina Wahab visited Huerta in July, where she spoke with children and adults about the power of collective action. Huerta explained that her famous rallying cry, “Sí, se puede,” means “Yes, we can,” and also “Yes, I can. Yes, you can,” emphasizing personal and communal responsibility to create change.

City Councilmember Oscar Gutierrez highlighted Huerta’s perseverance, noting that her name, which means “pain” or “suffering” in Spanish, reflects the hardships she endured and overcame to become an icon of social justice.

Recent revelations and community response

Earlier this year Huerta disclosed that fellow United Farm Workers co‑founder César Chávez had sexually assaulted her in the 1960s. She kept the experience private for decades, fearing it might damage the movement she helped build. Elsa Granados, executive director of Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA), praised Huerta’s courage, saying it underscores the importance of believing survivors, even when disclosure comes many years later.

Granados added that Huerta’s decision to speak out was also meant to stand in solidarity with other women who have come forward, reflecting her lifelong commitment to supporting those facing injustice.

Street‑renaming discussion

Huerta’s recent interview sparked a local conversation about renaming a Santa Barbara street that currently bears César Chávez’s name. While Huerta said she would be honored by such a change, she emphasized that the decision belongs to the community.

The proposal is now under consideration by the city’s planning commission, with input from residents, local businesses, and advocacy groups.

Enduring impact

Beyond labor rights, Huerta’s message continues to inspire generations to advocate for their communities and pursue justice. In a final interview, she reflected on the brevity of life and the responsibility to use it wisely: “We’re only on Earth for a short time, really… we want to use our lives to make the world a better place.”

Huerta’s legacy lives on through the workers she fought for, the movements she helped build, and the countless individuals she motivated to stand up for what is right.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.