New Mexico leaders established an ofrenda in Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza on Wednesday to honor labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta hours after her family announced she had died at age 96.
The traditional altar, which featured candles, photographs and marigolds, served as a site for the community to mourn the New Mexico-born activist and reflect on her decades of advocacy for women’s rights and farmworkers.
New Mexico Leaders Honor Activist Alicia Huerta
The memorial was organized by several New Mexico leaders, including House Speaker Javier Martinez, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury.
Alicia Romero, the curator of history at the Albuquerque Museum, described Huerta as a “voice of reason” and a “voice of truth.” Romero stated that Huerta’s impact as a Chicana activist, woman’s rights activist, and labor activist is “unparalleled,” calling her death an “incredible loss” for the world and New Mexico.
Huerta Co-Founded National Farm Workers Association
Born in Dawson, New Mexico, on April 10, 1930, Huerta was the daughter of a union activist and miner who served in the state Legislature. After moving to California following her parents’ divorce, she co-founded the National Farm Workers Association.
Huerta spent years organizing boycotts and walkouts to protect the families of farmworkers and improve their working conditions. In a 2022 interview with CBS, Huerta expressed her hope that her legacy as an organizer would inspire others to dedicate time to necessary civic work.
Recognition in Albuquerque
The city of Albuquerque previously honored Huerta during her lifetime with the dedication of a park in April 2017. The park currently hosts a growers’ market, maintaining a link to the agricultural laborers Huerta defended throughout her career.
