# Who is Dolores Huerta? Labor Rights Leader

> Dolores Huerta reveals 60-year secret about Cesar Chavez after decades of silence.
- Title: Who is Dolores Huerta? Labor Rights Leader · Houstonchronicle
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: dolores huerta, cesar chavez, united farm workers, agricultural labor relations act, sí se puede, presidential medal of freedom, labor rights, farmworkers, civil rights leader, california, news, local
- Source: Houstonchronicle — https://houstonchronicle.com/news/article/who-is-dolores-huerta-what-to-know-about-labor-22086000.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dolores huerta, cesar chavez, united farm workers, agricultural labor relations act, sí se puede, presidential medal of freedom, labor rights, farmworkers, civil rights leader, california, news, local
## 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
## Key takeaway

Dolores Huerta, 96, disclosed sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez in 1960s after 60 years of silence to protect farmworker movement.