{"id":2706,"date":"2026-03-31T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/?p=2706"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T22:05:19","slug":"dolores-huerta-discusses-her-journey-activism-and-hope-at-redlands-2026-social-justice-conference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theredlandsbulldog.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/31\/dolores-huerta-discusses-her-journey-activism-and-hope-at-redlands-2026-social-justice-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolores Huerta Discusses Her Journey, Activism and Hope at Redlands\u2019 2026 Social Justice Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Dolores
Dolores Huerta speaks at the March 13 Social Justice Conference. Huerta was instrumental in improving agricultural workers\u2019 conditions \u2014 specifically grape laborers in California \u2014 and helped establish the United Farm Workers with C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager
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More than 300 people made their way into the University of Redlands\u2019 Orton Center to hear civil rights icon Dolores Huerta<\/a> top off the March 13 Social Justice Conference<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting the Stage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

University of Redlands professor and alumnus Everette Davidove \u201815, whose class organized the conference, started off the evening with a welcome and congratulated three students for winning the conference\u2019s art competitions: Natalya Simone Libao \u201826 for art, Catie Whitwood \u201827 for short paper and Lexi Riffel \u201826 for long paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Everette Davidove \u201815 opens the evening session of the March 13 Social Justice Conference. Davidove is a Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies professor and Redlands alumnus who instructs the Social Justice Action class that organizes the conference. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager
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The microphone was then passed on to Nijohni Castillo \u201828, the president of the Native American Student Union (NASU), for a land acknowledgement. She interspersed her native tongue, Navajo, as she introduced herself, NASU and the land\u2019s heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nijohni Castillo \u201828 presents the land acknowledgement for the March 13 Social Justice Conference evening session. Castillo, a native Navajo, is serving as this year\u2019s Native American Student Union president. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager
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\u201cI believe it is important to always take the time to recognize the land that we stand on, to grasp the rich history and the ongoing existence of various Indigenous cultures,\u201d Castillo said. \u201cThis acknowledgment is crucial for advancing justice, and safeguarding the rights and sovereignty of Native American communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe would like to recognize and give thanks to this land that provided us with the space to work, study, laugh, make friends and build kinship while at Redlands,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joining NASU as one of the several organizations promoting diversity and equality at the university, Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztl\u00e1n (MEChA) was represented by their president Louie Avila \u201827. Avila provided the audience with context on Sandy Vasquez, the vice president of student affairs who would be acting as the evening\u2019s moderator, and keynote speaker Huerta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Louie Avila \u201827 introduces Dolores Huerta and Sandy Vasquez, the evening speakers of the March 13 Social Justice Conference. Avila is the current president of Redlands\u2019 Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztl\u00e1n student organization. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs this campus moves toward an evolving entity that represents all, Sandy is the first person of color that sits in her office as Vice President of Student Affairs for the University of Redlands,\u201d he said. \u201cWe thank you for all that you do, and we love you. Please continue to make this campus a space for all of us to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switching over to Huerta, Avila described her early life and motives for engaging in activism. He reviewed her civil rights efforts like increasing voter registration among minorities and improving treatment for agricultural workers by helping form the United Farm Workers organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBattling the norms of gender roles and the racist culture of the United States, Dolores Huerta paved the way for equality, equity and justice to be received by marginalized and underprivileged communities in the US,\u201d he said. \u201cHer presence walks into the room before she is announced.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avila listed several of Huerta’s honors and awards, including her 1993 induction into the Women\u2019s Hall of Fame, 1998 Eleanor D. Roosevelt Human Rights Award and 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo much more succeeds her name, and tonight we have the privilege of engaging with our history,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Dolores Huerta speaks at the March 13 Social Justice Conference. Huerta was instrumental in improving agricultural workers\u2019 conditions \u2014 specifically grape laborers in California \u2014 and helped establish the United Farm Workers with C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dolores Huerta Takes the Mic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Huerta started off her speech by shedding light on her experience in grassroots activism and the lessons she learned. For instance, she said fear of repercussions tends to initially dominate grassroots efforts but must be overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe people that are oppressed, they know what the issues are,\u201d she said. \u201cThey know what the problems are, and they have the intelligence to be able to solve their own problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta also highlighted collaboration\u2019s significant role, pointing to the successful 1965 Delano Grape Strike<\/a> where tens of thousands of people boycotted grapes for five years. Rarely do such feats come without losses, though. Huerta recalled the names and characteristics of five people who died during that struggle, from an 18-year-old Jewish woman in Florida to a 21-year-old Muslim in California.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey are the ones that had to die to get the basic minimum things for farm workers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those basic necessities included bathrooms in the fields, cold drinking water and breaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta transitioned forward 60 years to today\u2019s civil rights issues. She described passing an immigration detention center on her way to Redlands and how she feels  many of its detainees \u2014 gardeners, construction workers, nannies \u2014 do not belong there. Whereas the government used to repatriate undocumented people, she said it is now confining them indefinitely in these centers, many of which have documented inhumane conditions.<\/a> She spoke against the use of taxpayer dollars to fund detention centers as well as new wars abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In alignment with this year\u2019s Social Justice Conference theme, Huerta said an opportune moment for influencing change is approaching with this November\u2019s midterm elections<\/a> where congressmembers are elected.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have to take all of those dumb oxen out of Congress,\u201d she said, without naming specific individuals, in both Spanish and English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta followed this call to action with advice for activists, advising them to refrain from violence as it always ricochets back. She called on activists to go beyond just talking about social justice and commit themselves to action, which she said is what actually drives change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions & Answers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vasquez joined Huerta on stage for a moderated discussion with questions that had been submitted by students prior to the conference. The first question revolved around how modern activism approaches differ from historic ones, like her own. Huerta said there are lessons to be learned from previous social justice activism, but today\u2019s approach will be tailored by the tools available. She pointed out that technology, specifically, can be advantageous but also complicate things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEducation without action doesn\u2019t go very far,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sandy Vasquez moderates a question and answer conversation with Dolores Huerta during the March 13 Social Justice Conference. Vasquez asked Huerta three questions submitted earlier by students. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The second question centered on Huerta\u2019s balance of activism efforts with other aspects of life. To this, Huerta said helping others \u2014 not making money \u2014 should be the primary focus. She said this was ingrained into her by her mother\u2019s strong devotion to St. Francis<\/a> and his selfless generosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last question asked what inspired the civil rights activist\u2019s journey, which Huerta said was the power she unlocked when she figured out how to organize efforts: gather people, make them take direct nonviolent action, and change will result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was like discovering a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The World That We Need\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 96-year-old Huerta concluded the night with several spirited calls to action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going into battle right now to save our country, to save our democracy,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we have to do a little bit of cleansing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta identified the legacy of slavery, discrimination and pedophilia as several issues to address. She invoked humanity\u2019s common ancestry in the Fertile Crescent of Africa, inviting the audience to hold hands with their neighbor and say, \u201cHello, African relative.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta then led the audience in several chants, including her iconic \u201cS\u00ed, se puede\u201d with rhythmic clapping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want you to shout the answers really, really loud so that the haters can hear us,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Audience members join a \u201cS\u00ed, se puede\u201d chant with rhythmic clapping during the March 13 Social Justice Conference. This iconic chant by Huerta means \u201cYes, we can\u201d and was referenced by President Barack Obama throughout his campaign and terms. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As the clapping faded and the audience resumed their seats, Huerta shared her confidence in a hopeful future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to go marching forward,\u201d Huerta said. \u201cYou are all going to create the new world \u2013 the world that we need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was met by a standing ovation, after which Vasquez presented Huerta with a gift from the university and announced the establishment of an award in her honor. The Dolores Huerta Civic Leadership Medallion, Vasquez said, will annually recognize an undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional commitment to community leadership, advocacy, and social change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backstage Pass<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A group photo to commemorate the special evening was taken and then attendees dispersed, with several student leadership organizations, including The Redlands Bulldog<\/em>, given the opportunity to meet Huerta and take pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
California Congressman and University of Redlands alumnus Pete Aguilar \u201801 and Sandy Vasquez join Dolores Huerta on stage for a group photo at the March 13 Social Justice Conference keynote speech. Credit: Alieu Corr, Redlands Brand Manager
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When asked for her most memorable experiences in civil rights activism, Huerta promptly recalled being arrested. This occurred more than 20 times, she said, and often while picketing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huerta said her longest jail sentence was two weeks in an institution near Delano, California, where many of the other inmates were Muslim. She said the prison fed them pork \u2014 intentionally violating their Islamic dietary restrictions<\/a> \u2014 so the inmates threw their plates on the walls. Huerta said they also made quite the ruckus with prayers and hymns, chuckling as she remembered their defiance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for why college students should learn about her activism efforts, Huerta said the nation is at a critical point in its history. She compared what she sees as increasing sexism and racism in the U.S. to Germany before Hitler cemented his control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur democracy is in danger,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even college students, she said, can be active advocates for social justice through voting, protesting and boycotts. They may not have strength in resources, she said, but they have strength in numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s Note:<\/em><\/strong> The March 13 Social Justice Conference took place before the<\/em> New York Times published an investigation<\/em><\/a> into sexual assault allegations against C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez, Dolores Huerta\u2019s colleague in the United Farm Worker labor movement \u2014 including allegations from Huerta herself. In light of the news, University of Redlands President Krista Newkirk sent a campuswide email last week stating that the university is redesignating its C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez Day holiday as Farmworkers Justice Day and will look into separating it from Ch\u00e1vez\u2019s birthday.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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