A.P. Steadham

We mourn the passing of Dolores Huerta, a pioneering force in the struggle for civil rights and a fearless champion of migrant workers and working people. Her courage and conviction helped shape the conscience of our nation, and her life was a testament to the belief that dignity and justice belong to us all. From organizing farmworkers in California to advancing the broader struggle for labor and civil rights, Dolores stood alongside those whose voices had too often been silenced. She understood that racial equality and economic justice were inseparable, and that lasting change required communities to stand together. For our family, her passing carries a deeply personal significance. Dolores shared a cherished friendship with my beloved mother, Coretta Scott King, forged through their shared commitment to justice and their work advancing the Civil Rights Movement. Their friendship reflected the deep bonds between the struggles for Black and Latino equality and the belief that our collective strength will always be greater than the forces seeking to divide us. Her enduring rallying cry, “Sí, se puede,” was more than a slogan. It was a declaration of hope and a reminder of the power of ordinary people to achieve extraordinary change. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and all those whose lives she touched. As we honor her remarkable legacy, may we carry forward her unwavering commitment to justice, build bridges across communities, and continue the unfinished work of creating a nation where freedom, equality, and dignity are realized for all. Sí, se puede. Yes, we can.

Our voices matter. When we come together, we have an opportunity not just to protect the progress that generations before us fought for, but to help determine what comes next. #BlackBrownUnity