Dolores Huerta, US civil rights leader who coined “Sí Se Puede,” dies aged 96

A life shaped by activism

Huerta was born in New Mexico and grew up in Stockton, California, among the state’s agricultural communities. Her mother raised her and at one point worked at a cannery.

Through her foundation, Huerta continued working on immigration and voting issues. She was also remembered for her commitment to civic engagement and political representation for disenfranchised people.

A slogan for farm workers

The United Farm Workers said Huerta coined “Sí Se Puede,” Spanish for “Yes, we can!” The phrase became a familiar rallying cry for activists seeking improved working conditions for Hispanic farm workers. The union paid tribute to Huerta in a social media statement, saying her commitment to civic engagement offered a lesson to carry to the ballot box.

Tributes to her legacy

María Teresa Kumar, president of the voting group Voto Latino, described Huerta as a “civil rights giant.” Kumar said Huerta spent her life fighting injustice, and called her a national and international icon whose legacy would inspire generations. Huerta was reportedly remembered as saying she wanted to be known as someone who cared for fellow humans. The article attributes that statement to multiple sources but does not identify where or when she said it.

Reporting on César Chávez

Chávez’s family said at the time that they were “devastated” by the reports and praised the women’s courage in coming forward. The article also says Huerta reportedly died of cancer, but does not identify who confirmed the cause.