CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST DOLORES HUERTA SHARES HER STORY TODAY AT UTB'S ARTS CENTER

Spurred into action by the needs of her poverty-stricken students, Dolores Huerta became a champion of immigrants, workers and women.

The iconic civil rights activist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient will relate her story to the university community during “A Conversation with Dolores Huerta,” which will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Arts Center. [click here for Collegian story]

“She is one of those people who have committed very brave acts for the advancement of our culture, of our Latino beliefs, of our Hispanic culture,” said Noel Rodríguez, program director of the College Assistance Migrant Program at UTB/TSC. “We have to appreciate people who have fought for our rights, and Dolores Huerta is one of those persons, specifically for the migrant community, but, overall, for the Hispanic community as well.”

Huerta, a native of Dawson, N.M., is the co-founder, along with the activist César Chávez, of the United Farm-Workers of America and this year’s recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

According to biography.com, Huerta earned a teaching degree and became an elementary schoolteacher in California. Many of her students were children of farm workers and did not have the basic necessities. She co-founded the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization, which “worked to improve social and economic conditions for farm workers and to fight discrimination.”

She created the Agricultural Workers Association in 1960 and then co-founded the United Farm Workers with fellow labor rights leader César Chávez.

Before the lecture, Huerta will be the guest at a merienda, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs Division, where she will meet 15 to 20 C.A.M.P. students, some student leaders and university officials.

“[The merienda] is kind of a meet-and-greet session with the students and an opportunity for her to get to know the leaders and the migrants on campus,” Rodríguez said.

Ramon Ayala

Ramón Ayala y los Bravos del Norte will perform during the evening event, singing Huerta’s song, “Claro que se puede,” which has been covered by Santana, Elefante, Intocable, and Maná, among others. They band will also perform “Un Rinconcito en el Cielo.” TV host Johnny Canales will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Karla Hernandez, a C.A.M.P. mentor; VanNessa Treviño, an A.S.P.I.R.E. mentor; and, Darío González, a C.A.M.P. volunteer, will participate in an question-and-answer session with Huerta onstage.

During the program, the three winners of the essay contest “¡Claro que se puede!” “What does that mean to me?” will be announced. More than 100 essays were submitted, according to Ruth Ann Ragland, associate provost for Community Outreach and Special Projects.

The event is free and open to the public.

Efraín Álvarez, a sophomore government major, who plans to attend the lecture, said: “It is important because we live in a Hispanic community; this event gives us the opportunity to appreciate our history and to understand where we come from.”

For more information, call the C.A.M.P. Office at 882-7872 or the Development Office at 882-4327.