Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
Assemblywoman SHANIQUE SPEIGHT
District 29 (Essex and Hudson)
Assemblyman ANTHONY S. VERRELLI
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Drulis, Assemblyman Freiman and Assemblywoman Brennan
SYNOPSIS
Designates April 10 of each year as “Dolores Huerta Day.”
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April 10 of each year as “Dolores Huerta Day” in New Jersey.
Whereas, Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta was born on April 10, 1930, in New Mexico, and emerged as a prominent figure in labor activism and the Chicano civil rights movement; and
Whereas, Huerta was raised by her mother, Alicia Chávez, in California and was influenced by her mother's activism and discrimination witnessed firsthand; and
Whereas, Despite facing obstacles, including biased treatment in school and violence against her family, Huerta pursued an education, earning an associate teaching degree; and
Whereas, In 1955, Huerta co-founded the Stockton, California chapter of the Community Service Organization (CSO), focusing on voter registration and economic improvements for Hispanics; and
Whereas, Huerta co-founded found the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later became the United Farm Workers’ Union (UFW); and
Whereas, Huerta played a pivotal role in organizing strikes and negotiating contracts for farm workers, advocating for better working conditions and benefits, and led successful nationwide boycotts of table grapes, prompting legislative changes including the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, granting farm workers the right to unionize; and
Whereas, Huerta is the originator of the UFW motto “Sí se puede,” which translates to “Yes, it can be done;” and
Whereas, Throughout the 1970s to 2000s, Huerta continued her activism, lobbying for workers' rights, Latino and women's representation in politics, and gender equality; and
Whereas, Huerta is a survivor of sexual assault and abuse; and
Whereas, Political and gender dynamics and a fear of harming the farmworker movement caused Huerta to keep the abuse a secret for most of her life; and
Whereas, Later, Huerta came forward and shared her experiences with sexual assault and abuse during her time as a community organizer, providing an example to other survivors that they need not suffer alone; and
Whereas, Huerta’s contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012; and
Whereas, Huerta remains active in various organizations, including the Dolores Huerta Foundation, focusing on feminist and labor issues; and
Whereas,
Huerta’s legacy continues to inspire activism for social justice, worker’s
rights, and equality for women; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April 10 of each year is designated “Dolores Huerta Day” in New Jersey to honor the legacy of Dolores Huerta as a community organizer and activist for social justice, worker’s rights, and equality for women.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe “Dolores Huerta Day” with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This Joint Resolution designates April 10 of each year as “Dolores Huerta Day” in the State.
Dolores Huerta, born on April 10, 1930, in New Mexico, became a significant figure in labor activism and the Chicano civil rights movement. Raised by her mother in California, Huerta experienced discrimination early in life, yet pursued an education and earned an associate teaching degree.
Huerta co-founded the Community Service Organization (CSO) and later the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which evolved into the United Farm Workers' Union (UFW). Huerta was instrumental in organizing strikes, negotiating contracts for farm workers, and advocating for their rights, including leading boycotts that resulted in legislative changes, including the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.
Huerta continued her activism throughout the 1970s to 2000s, focusing on workers' rights, Latino and women's representation in politics, and gender equality. Huerta is a survivor of sexual assault and abuse; political and gender dynamics and a fear of harming the farmworker movement caused Huerta to keep the abuse a secret for most of her life. Later, she came forward about her own experiences with sexual assault and abuse during her time as a community organizer, providing an example to other survivors that they need not suffer alone.
Huerta, who coined the motto "Sí se puede," has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012. Huerta remains active in various organizations, including the Dolores Huerta Foundation, and her legacy continues to inspire activism for social justice, worker’s rights, and equality for women.
On March 18, 2026, several credible accounts surfaced alleging that Cesar Chavez, who worked closely with Dolores Huerta in the labor and farmworker movements, sexually assaulted and abused several women and girls, including Huerta. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey passed a resolution honoring Chavez in 2024. It is the intent of the sponsors to acknowledge the pain this may have caused Huerta and the other survivors of Chavez’s assaults, and to instead honor Dolores Huerta for her enduring leadership and pivotal role in advancing the rights of farmworkers, Latinos, and women in the United States.