Fred Ross Sr. and Dolores Huerta
“Dolores Huerta changed the course of history. She took on powerful interests at a time when farmworkers had almost no protections, little political influence, and few people willing to stand up for them. She helped organize workers who had been overlooked and exploited for generations, and she gave them something that no employer or politician could take away: a voice.
What I admire most about Dolores is that she never stopped fighting. She didn’t back down when the odds were against her.
Her famous words, ‘Sí, se puede,’ were a challenge to working people everywhere to believe in their own power to make great change.
The wages, protections and dignity that working people have today didn’t just happen because corporate America decided to do the right thing. It was Dolores Huerta and others like her who fought for them, often at tremendous personal sacrifice.
We owe her more than our gratitude; we owe her our commitment to keep fighting for our brothers and sisters.
IBEW 1245 extends our deepest condolences to Dolores’ family, friends and the countless working people whose lives she changed.
— Bob Dean, Business Manager, IBEW Local 1245