Photos of Dolores Huerta’s lifetime of advocacy for farmworkers and civil rights

Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers and coined the rallying cry “Sí, se puede!” died of cancer Wednesday at her California home. She was 96. Her decades of organizing inspired generations of activists and public servants.

FILE - Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

FILE - Labor leader Dolores Huerta, left, applauds on stage as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at Carl Hayden Community High School in Phoenix, March 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

FILE - Dolores Huerta, far right, thanks senators after the unanimous vote to designate April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day," March 18, 2019, in Olympia, Wash. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte, File)

FILE - Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farmworkers of America, along with local college students stage a rally supporting candidate Gray Davis for governor of California, Oct. 17, 1998 at East Los Angeles College in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/E.J. Flynn, File)

FILE - Dolores Huerta, the labor leader, civil rights activist and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, is seen at the California Democratic Party's 2025 State Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif., May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

FILE - Labor activist Dolores Huerta shakes hands with people after addressing a rally held by teachers, parents, students and supporters of a strike against the Sacramento Unified School District at Rosemont High School in Sacramento, Calif., March 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

FILE - United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta looks at a mural of the late Cesar Chavez during a dedication of the Cesar Chavez Monument on the San Jose State University campus in San Jose, Calif., Sept. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

FILE - United Farm Workers leader Dolores Huerta, center, leads a rally in San Francisco's Mission District on Nov. 19, 1988, along with Howard Wallace, president of the San Francisco chapter of the UFW, left, and Maria Elena Chavez, 16, the daughter of Cesar Chavez, right, as part of a national boycott of what the UFW claims is the dangerous use of pesticides on table grapes. (AP Photo/Court Mast, File)

FILE - Dolores Huerta, center in black jacket, co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, joins UFW members and their supporters during a rall, March 26, 2006, in downtown Los Angeles, to mark union founder Cesar Chavez's birthday and to protest pending federal legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Ric Francis, File)

A photo of the late Dolores Huerta is on display as part of a "Dia de los Muertos" altar display at Dolores Huerta Elementary School, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Dolores Huerta's death on Wednesday provoked an outpouring of emotions from her allies on social causes and many others who were inspired by her legacy. They shared stories about becoming public servants, volunteering and organizing within their own communities because of Huerta.

Deanna Muñoz, founder and president of the Chicano Center for the Arts in Missouri, never met the civil rights icon, but she told The Associated Press that Huerta's courage, love and sense of purpose live on in people who refuse to be silent.

“She taught generations of Chicanas like me that we don’t have to ask permission to take up space, that our voices matter, and that standing up for our people is never something we should apologize for,” Muñoz posted on social media.

Here's more reaction to Huerta and her legacy:

“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.”

“Dolores fought for working people. She organized in the fields, she walked the picket lines, and she sat across the table from people who never expected to have to negotiate with her. I say often the middle class built this country, and unions built the middle class. Dolores understood that in her bones. Well into her nineties she was still traveling, marching and organizing for working families, for women, for immigrants, for LGBTQ Americans. Even this year, she showed a different kind of courage, telling a painful truth she had carried for sixty years so others would not have to carry theirs alone. America is fairer and more decent because of Dolores Huerta.”

“The work of Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers was a driving force for change across California and our country... Thanks to her, immigrants and workers won better wages, working conditions, environmental protections, and voting rights. I was blessed to know Dolores for many years and proud to organize alongside my dear friend to champion working families and immigrant rights.”

“Dolores inspired so many of us to activism. I admired her from a very young age, and it was an incredible honor and privilege not only to meet and know her, but to call her a friend. ... Her legacy is one of dignity and equality for all, and proof of what ordinary people can accomplish when they organize. Dolores reminded us that no matter the odds, no matter the obstacle, we can build a greater life for ourselves, our community, our city, and our country.”

“At every rally, Dolores Huerta would ask, “Who has the power?” And together, we would roar back, “The people have the power!” She spent her life reminding us that power doesn’t belong to the wealthy or the powerful. It belongs to the people who march, who organize, who vote, who stand up for one another. Dolores may not be here to lead the chant, but her voice will echo through generations. And every time we raise our voices for justice, we will answer her call.”

“When Dolores turned 21, she celebrated her birthday by registering to vote. As we honor her today and every day, let’s do our part to fight for labor rights, to fight for civil rights, and to make our voices heard at the ballot box. May she rest in peace and power.”

“Without Dolores, Latino Victory would not exist — we are eternally grateful to her for breaking barriers and paving the way for Latino civil rights, political power, and Latina activism. She inspired millions, and the best way to honor her memory is to keep advocating for working families and civil rights, and to strengthen Latino political power.”

“Dolores Huerta’s living legacy is her lifelong struggle for justice for the farmworkers who feed our nation. My family and I were honored to work alongside her for more than 50 years, inspired by her leadership and powerful voice across the United States and Mexico. She understood that our diversity is our greatest strength and that together, we can build a more just and inclusive America. In her words, we can change the world for the better: ¡Sí se puede!”

“Huerta showed extreme bravery and fortitude, even toward the end of her life when she powerfully reminded everyone that every survivor should be heard, believed and supported. We hope to honor Dolores Huerta by continuing the work of achieving justice for all and supporting workers across every community.”

“Well into her nineties, Dolores spoke hard truths regardless of personal cost. She showed up for people who were at risk, taken advantage of, underserved and unheard until the day she died. My heart is with her family and the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Rest in power, Dolores.”

“Dolores Huerta was a force to be reckoned with, and she made no apologies for it. She confronted those in power, refused to be silenced and dedicated her life to workers who deserved dignity, fair wages and a better future. ... She never backed down, and neither should we. Her legacy asks something of each of us: to stand firm even when it’s hard and even when the odds are against us.”

FILE - Dolores Huerta attends an election night event for California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, June 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - Civil rights leader Dolores Huerta speaks during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)