What We Can Learn From Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta

“Don’t be a marshmallow. Walk the street with us into history. Get off the sidewalk.”
–Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta’s visionary leadership and legacy is a reminder that social justice movements will endure as long as inequalities persist and there’s a need for change.

Huerta’s history is reflective of how movements intersect and evolve over time, spawning new networks and building greater influence for meaningful social change. Best known for her efforts promoting the rights of agricultural workers alongside Cesar Chavez as Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers, Huerta has championed civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and continues to advocate for the rights of at-risk youth alongside her own children as President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

The San Diego Foundation Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) and the Dolores Huerta Foundation value community, collaboration and equity. This common ground brought us together to create “Weaving Movements,” a free event series and campaign that champions civic engagement, including the right to vote, and improves the quality of life in all of our communities.

“Weaving Movements” brings our region together to build awareness about local economic opportunity, environmental access, recidivism reduction, and the power of voting to shape our nation, region and lives. Dolores Huerta will travel to San Diego to kick off the event series on Wednesday, August 10.

Events will incorporate conversation, film, visual arts and performances, including exclusive previews of a soon-to-be released documentary about Huerta’s life directed by Peter Bratt (La Mission) and produced by Carlos Santana and Benjamin Bratt.

• Linking Innovation with Inclusion – (August 10) – Huerta has championed the rights of workers to ensure they have economic opportunity and access to a healthy work environment. The San Diego Foundation, in alignment with Our Greater San Diego Vision, provides greater opportunities for San Diegans to access education, training and jobs. Join Huerta and Dr. Manuel Pastor, Director of the USC Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, along with local leaders to learn about how economic stability for all San Diegans benefits the entire region, and how eliminating the root causes of economic inequality can stimulate a thriving innovation economy.

• Love for the Land – (October 5) – Huerta has fought for environmental justice, and has understood the sacred link between humans and nature. While almost half of San Diego County’s total land area is green space, many low-income, ethnically diverse communities have limited access to parks and open spaces. There is also a strong correlation between communities with high rates of childhood obesity and low park access. Find out how The San Diego Foundation Opening the Outdoors Program is improving equity by connecting, protecting and increasing access to nature, especially for our youth.

Please join us for Weaving Movements on August 10 and September 6.

Let’s leave the sidewalk.

RSVP Today