From Houstonchronicle · · 1m 10s
Who is Dolores Huerta? Labor Rights Leader
Dolores Huerta reveals 60-year secret about Cesar Chavez after decades of silence.
In brief
Dolores Huerta reveals 60-year secret about Cesar Chavez after decades of silence. Dolores Huerta, 96, disclosed sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez in 1960s after 60 years of silence to protect farmworker movement. Originally reported by Houstonchronicle.
Dolores Huerta's Secret
Dolores Huerta revealed she was sexually abused by Cesar Chavez in the 1960s.
“I am nearly 96 years old, and for the last 60 years have kept a secret because I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement”
Huerta's Silence
Huerta stayed silent for 60 years to protect the farmworker movement she helped build.
“I believed that exposing the truth would hurt the farmworker movement I have spent my entire life fighting for”
First Encounter
Huerta described being manipulated and pressured into sex with Chavez when she admired him.
“The first time I was manipulated and pressured into having sex with him, and I didn't feel I could say no because he was someone that I admired, my boss, and the leader of the movement”
Second Encounter
Huerta was forced against her will during a second encounter with Chavez.
“The second time I was forced, against my will, and in an environment where I felt trapped”
Children and Legacy
Huerta kept her children secret and maintained relationships with them after the encounters.
“After those two encounters with Chavez, Huerta said she became pregnant and chose to keep those children secret and arranged for them to be raised by other families”
United Farm Workers
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers in 1962 with Chavez.
“The United Farm Workers (UFW) was founded in 1962 by Huerta and Chavez”
Agricultural Labor Relations Act
Huerta helped pass the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act for farmworkers.
“Huerta's efforts led to the passage in 1975 of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, the first law to recognize the rights of California farmworkers”
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Huerta received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012 for her lifetime advocacy.
“In 2012, former President Obama awarded Huerta the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her lifetime advocacy on behalf of the underserved”
At a glance
Dolores Huerta, 96, disclosed sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez in 1960s after 60 years of silence to protect farmworker movement.
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