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Dolores Huerta Accuses Cesar Chavez of Sexual Assault

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers co-founder, accused Cesar Chavez of sexual assault in a New York Times investigation.
She, 95, says Chavez raped her twice in the 1960s, causing pregnancies she kept secret.
Over a dozen Latina elected officials in Albuquerque expressed solidarity with Huerta, condemning Chavez and the culture enabling abuse.
Huerta described her experience as a journey from victim to survivor and urged support for survivors.

History

Historical Context

The United Farm Workers (UFW) was founded in 1962 by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, evolving from the National Farm Workers Association and the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee. The UFW's successful grape strike from 1965 to 1970 secured significant wage increases and improved conditions for over 10,000 farmworkers. Recent allegations against Chávez highlight ongoing issues of power dynamics and accountability within labor movements.

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Story summary

Dolores Huerta, United Farm Workers co-founder, accused Cesar Chavez of sexual assault in a New York Times investigation.
She, 95, says Chavez raped her twice in the 1960s, causing pregnancies she kept secret.
Over a dozen Latina elected officials in Albuquerque expressed solidarity with Huerta, condemning Chavez and the culture enabling abuse.
Huerta described her experience as a journey from victim to survivor and urged support for survivors.

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