The City of Tempe joins communities across the country in mourning the passing of Dolores Huerta, a pioneering labor organizer, civil rights leader and advocate for equality. She was 96.
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers and spent more than six decades fighting for workers' rights, women's rights and social justice. Her words, โSรญ, se puede!โ or โYes, it can be done!โ in English, became a rallying cry for generations of people working to create change.
โDolores Huerta spent her life standing up for people who deserved to be heard and treated fairly,โ said Tempe Mayor Corey Woods. โShe helped change working conditions for generations of families and showed what people can accomplish when they organize and speak up. I'm proud that Tempe has made a point of honoring her work, and that we're helping young people carry that commitment to their own communities.โ
Tempe honors her contributions through Dolores Huerta Day and the Dolores Huerta Scholarship, which supports local students who demonstrate a commitment to community service, leadership and social justice.