People

Leaders of the Farm Worker Movement: Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and Philip Vera Cruz

Dolores Huerta: Advocate for Justice

Born Dolores Clara Fernández on April 10, 1930, in Dawson, New Mexico, Dolores Huerta became one of the most influential labor leaders and civil rights activists in American history. Raised in Stockton, California, by her mother after her parents’ divorce, Huerta was deeply influenced by her father’s work as a farm worker, miner, and union activist. Alongside César Chávez, Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), where her tireless advocacy for farm workers’ rights and her enduring slogan “Sí, se puede” became iconic symbols of the movement.

Larry Itliong: Pioneer of Farm Labor Organizing

Larry Itliong was a Filipino American labor organizer and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in the farm labor movement. A key figure in the 1965 Delano Grape Strike, Itliong was instrumental in uniting Filipino and Mexican workers, leading to the formation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. For more than 40 years, he championed the rights of farm and cannery workers, immigrants, and Asian Americans, leaving a legacy of activism and solidarity.

Philip Vera Cruz: Champion of the Delano Strike

Philip Vera Cruz was a Filipino American labor leader and one of the founding members of the UFW. He is best known for his role in the Delano Grape Strike, a pivotal moment in farm worker history. As a leader in the UFW, Vera Cruz served as second vice president and played a vital role in advocating for the rights of farmworkers, immigrants, and the Asian American community.

These three leaders—Huerta, Itliong, and Vera Cruz—each made significant contributions to the farm labor movement and helped shape the United Farm Workers union, working tirelessly to improve the lives of workers across the nation.