Women's History Month: Honoring Dolores Huerta and the Power of Collective Action
Updated March 9, 2026
What’s New in This Post
This article was originally published in 2022 and has been updated for Women’s History Month.
Updates include:
Added new context about Dolores Huerta’s lasting impact on the labor movement
Expanded connections to UFCW members and women in today’s union workplaces
Added resources and multimedia links to learn more about Huerta’s work and legacy
Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to reflect on the women who have shaped our communities, our workplaces, and our movements. For UFCW 227 members, it’s also a time to recognize how women’s leadership continues to strengthen the labor movement today.
This year, we honor Dolores Huerta — a labor leader, civil rights activist, and co-founder of the United Farm Workers — whose legacy reminds us that progress is built through organizing, persistence, and collective power.
“Don’t be a marshmallow. Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk. Stop being vegetables. Work for justice. Viva the boycott!” – Dolores Huerta
A Trailblazer in the Labor Movement
Dolores Huerta has spent more than six decades fighting for workers’ rights, racial justice, and gender equity. As a co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside César Chávez, Huerta helped lead historic organizing efforts that secured safer working conditions, collective bargaining rights, and dignity for farmworkers across the country.
She is also the force behind the now-iconic phrase “Sí, se puede” — Yes, we can — a rallying cry that continues to inspire movements for justice and worker power.
Huerta’s work extended beyond the fields. She has been a fierce advocate for women in the labor movement, pushing for paid family leave, unemployment insurance for farmworkers, and protections against workplace discrimination — gains that union members continue to benefit from today.
At 90, Dolores Huerta is a living civil rights icon. She has spent most of her life as a political activist, fighting for better working conditions for farmworkers and the rights of the downtrodden, a firm believer in the power of political organizing to effect change.
Why Her Story Matters to UFCW 227 Members Today
Women make up a significant portion of the UFCW 227 membership, and union jobs continue to narrow the wage gap for women workers. Dolores Huerta’s legacy reminds us that these gains did not happen by accident — they were won through organizing, bargaining, and solidarity.
At UFCW 227, we see that legacy carried forward every day:
Women serving as stewards, activists, and leaders in our locals
Members organizing for safer workplaces and fair schedules
Union contracts that protect family-sustaining wages and benefits
Women’s History Month is not just about honoring the past — it’s about strengthening the movement for the future.
Take Action This Women’s History Month
You can honor Dolores Huerta’s legacy by taking action right here in our union:
Get involved: Attend a union meeting, training, or event to get involved with our local.
Learn and share: Watch the documentary Dolores (2017) to learn more about Huerta’s life and impact.
Lift women’s voices: Encourage women in your workplace to step into leadership roles and union activism.
Stay informed: Follow UFCW 227 updates and Women’s History Month content throughout March.
Learn More
🎥 Dolores (documentary film Watch with PBS Passport or Apple TV)
📚 Dolores Huerta Foundation: education, organizing, and advocacy resources
📖 National Women’s History Alliance — Women’s History Month resources
As Dolores Huerta has said, “Every moment is an organizing opportunity.” This Women’s History Month, let’s honor her legacy by continuing the work — together.