By: April Anaya

On Wednesday March 18, Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), released a statement to the New York Times, breaking her silence after more than 60 years about the abuse she faced at the hands of her colleague Cesar Chavez. 

In her statement, Huerta describes two instances of sexual abuse: one in which she says she was forcibly assaulted by Chavez and another in which she was coerced into a sexual relationship. Both encounters resulted in pregnancies, which she kept quiet as she found stable homes for the children.

The New York Times investigation also reported that Huerta was not alone. Two additional women came forward with allegations of grooming and sexual abuse they say they faced when they were minors. 

Huerta explained that she remained silent for decades because of her deep commitment to the farmworker’s movement. She describes it as being her life’s work and said that she did not want to jeopardize it. She also recalled instances in which male colleagues sent her to speak at smaller events, such as senior centers, causing her to miss major opportunities while others received recognition for the movement’s work.

Throughout her life, Huerta has been a leading advocate for the rights of farmworkers, women, and the Latinx community in the United States. During the farmworker’s movement, she coined the phrase ‘Si, se puede,’ which continues to be used in social justice and labor movements.

The allegations against Chavez highlight how positions of power can be abused, particularly in movements where individuals feel they are unable to speak out. This issue extends far beyond a single case. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) between “25% to 85% of women report having experienced sexual harassment at work,” and about “75% of victims never formally file a report due to fear of retaliation from the higher-ups.” 

Women around the world continue to face workplace harassment and are often expected to remain silent because of the power held by their abusers. Huerta’s story reflects a broader pattern of silence and imbalance. 

By speaking out, Huerta sends a powerful message: survivors are not alone, and it is never too late to speak out against their abusers. Huerta has shown incredible grace and courage proving that she is not a victim, but a trailblazer who redefined what it means to be a powerful woman.