Honoring Dolores Huerta: Cultivating Courage and Community Advocacy in Our Children
"We can't create change if we don't challenge what's wrong." - Dolores Huerta
In the tapestry of social justice heroes, Dolores Huerta stands as a vibrant thread of courage, persistence, and compassionate action. Born on April 10, 1930, this remarkable labor leader and civil rights activist co-founded the United Farm Workers alongside Cesar Chavez, forever changing the landscape of workers' rights in America. Her story offers our children a powerful example of how one person's voice, when raised with conviction and care, can create ripples of positive change that transform communities.
As we nurture our children to become compassionate global citizens, Dolores Huerta's legacy provides rich soil for growing values of courage, advocacy, and community care. Through mindful activities and thoughtful conversations, we can help our children understand that even the smallest hands can plant seeds of change.
Preschool
Understanding Community Helpers
Young children naturally gravitate toward helpers in their community. This is the perfect age to introduce the concept that some helpers, like Dolores Huerta, work to make sure everyone is treated fairly.
Activity: Garden of Gratitude
Create a simple garden box where children can plant seeds while talking about how farmers grow our food. As you tend the garden together, introduce the idea that Dolores Huerta helped make sure the people who grow our food are treated well.
Plant quick-growing vegetables like radishes or lettuce
Create simple plant markers with colorful pictures
Talk about how plants need care to grow, just like communities
Books for Preschoolers:
Lower Elementary
Exploring Fairness and Speaking Up
Children at this age have a keen sense of fairness and are beginning to understand more complex social concepts.
Activity: "Sí Se Puede" Courage Stones
Create painted courage stones featuring Dolores Huerta's famous phrase "Sí Se Puede" (Yes We Can).
Materials:
Smooth river stones
Acrylic paints in earthy tones
Fine-tip paint pens for writing
Process:
Invite children to paint their stones with colors that make them feel brave
Help them write "Sí Se Puede" on one side
On the other side, write one way they can help others in their community
Place stones in a special basket as visual reminders of courage
Family Conversation: Share age-appropriate stories about how Dolores organized peaceful protests and boycotts. Ask children to think about times when they've seen something unfair and how they felt. What might they say or do to help make things fair?
Books for Lower Elementary:
"Dolores Huerta: A Hero to Migrant Workers" by Sarah Warren
Upper Elementary
Understanding Advocacy and Action
Children at this age can grasp more nuanced concepts about social justice and advocacy work.
Activity: Community Needs Mapping
Create a hand-drawn map of your neighborhood or community, identifying needs and strengths.
Materials:
Large craft paper
Natural coloring materials (beeswax crayons, colored pencils)
Markers for identifying community resources
Process:
Draw your neighborhood with all its important landmarks
Identify places that help people (libraries, community centers, food banks)
Circle areas where you notice needs (maybe a park needs cleaning, or an elder needs help with yard work)
Brainstorm simple, concrete actions your family can take to help
Books for Upper Elementary:
Middle School
Exploring Labor History Through Art
Middle schoolers can begin to understand the complexity of labor movements and social activism.
Activity: Protest Art Banners
Create beautiful, meaningful protest banners inspired by the UFW movement.
Materials:
Canvas or sturdy fabric
Natural fabric paints
Brushes of various sizes
Reference images of historical UFW protest imagery
Process:
Research historical images from the United Farm Workers movement
Discuss the powerful symbols used (the eagle, the colors, the simple designs)
Create your own family banner with a message of justice or community care
Display it in your home or yard as a conversation starter
Journaling Prompt: "If you could change one thing in your community to make it more fair for everyone, what would it be and how would you start?"
Book for Middle Schoolers:
Film for Middle Schoolers:
"Viva La Causa" (2008) - 39-minute documentary suitable for middle school students
High School
Understanding Intersectionality and Systemic Change
Teens are ready to grasp more sophisticated concepts about how various forms of injustice interconnect and how lasting change happens.
Understanding Intersectionality and Systemic Change
Teens are ready to grasp more sophisticated concepts about how various forms of injustice interconnect and how lasting change happens.
Book Focus: "Dolores Huerta: Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist" by Robin S. Doak
This comprehensive biography explores Huerta's life journey from teacher to civil rights icon, her co-founding of the United Farm Workers, and her continued activism into her later years. The book thoughtfully examines the personal sacrifices she made and the challenges she faced as a woman in the labor movement.
Book Discussion Questions:
Dolores Huerta often said, "Si se puede" ("Yes, it can be done"). How did this philosophy manifest in her approach to seemingly impossible challenges?
How did Huerta balance her roles as a mother of 11 children and a civil rights leader? What sacrifices did she make, and what can we learn from her choices?
Huerta faced discrimination not only as a Mexican-American but also as a woman in leadership. How did she navigate these intersecting challenges?
Compare Huerta's tactics and leadership style with other civil rights leaders you've studied. What made her approach unique or effective?
Huerta has remained active well into her 90s. What does this tell us about lifelong commitment to social justice? How might you sustain your own activism throughout your life?
Film Study: "Dolores" (2017 Documentary)
This powerful documentary provides an intimate portrait of Dolores Huerta through archival footage and personal interviews, revealing both her public achievements and personal journey.
Film Discussion Questions:
What moments in the film most surprised you about Huerta's life or work? Why weren't these aspects of her story more widely known?
The film explores tensions between Huerta's activism and family life. How did her children's perspectives on her work evolve over time?
How did the filmmakers use music, archival footage, and interviews to tell Huerta's story? What techniques were most effective?
The documentary reveals that Huerta often received less recognition than her male counterparts. What factors contributed to this, and how does the film attempt to correct this historical oversight?
How does Huerta's intersectional identity (as a woman of color, mother, and activist) shape her approach to social justice work?
After watching the film, what aspects of Huerta's character do you find most inspiring for your own life?
Remember to adapt these activities to your family's comfort level and interests. The goal is to explore and appreciate Indian culture while creating meaningful family connections. Feel free to explore these activities in a way that suits your family’s rhythm—adapt them, mix them up, or create something entirely new! The beauty lies in making them your own. If you try something different, we’d love to hear your story and share in the journey!
Parent Reflection
As parents guiding our children through an often complex world, we can draw inspiration from Dolores Huerta's unwavering commitment to justice tempered with deep compassion. Her approach reminds us that advocacy isn't just about fighting against wrong—it's about standing firmly for what is right and good.
Consider starting a family tradition of service that honors Huerta's legacy. This might be volunteering at a community garden, supporting local farmers through a CSA membership, or regularly preparing meals together using ethically sourced ingredients while discussing where our food comes from and who helps bring it to our table.
When we teach our children to notice injustice and take mindful action, we're planting seeds of courage that will grow throughout their lives. As Dolores herself has demonstrated through her decades of service—now well into her 90s and still active—the work of creating a more just world is both a lifelong journey and a daily practice of courage.
How does your family incorporate social justice and community care into your daily rhythms? We'd love to hear your stories and the ways you're cultivating courage in your children.
