Overview
Dolores Huerta is considered one of the outstanding American labor leaders of the twentieth century. During the early 1960s, she and Cesar Chavez cofounded the National Farm Workers Association, forerunner of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). Huerta led strikes, organized demonstrations, and negotiated contracts with powerful growers on behalf of the UFW. Through her efforts, farmworkers, who are among the poorest people in American society, have achieved higher wages, paid vacations, and health-care benefits. Even before the women's movement began in the 1970s, Huerta pioneered new roles for women. She was among the few powerful female union leaders and one of the only Hispanic women to achieve such an important position.Synopsis
Dolores Huerta is considered one of the outstanding American labor leaders of the twentieth century. During the early 1960s, she and Cesar Chavez cofounded the National Farm Workers Association, forerunner of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). Huerta led strikes, organized demonstrations, and negotiated contracts with powerful growers on behalf of the UFW. Through her efforts, farmworkers, who are among the poorest people in American society, have achieved higher wages, paid vacations, and health-care benefits. Even before the women's movement began in the 1970s, Huerta pioneered new roles for women. She was among the few powerful female union leaders and one of the only Hispanic women to achieve such an important position.
Children's Literature
This biography provides a much-needed account of Dolores Huerta, a tireless advocate for workers in the fields, and a role model for Hispanics and all Americans. Mr. Worth writes a very detailed account of the organizations with which Ms. Huerta worked. Unfortunately, it is hard to grasp the instrumental role that Dolores had. The biography includes so many side-bars, descriptions of other important people during the era, and background that Dolores' role becomes lost. This particular aspect of United States history gets short shrift due to attention given to events such as the Vietnam War. However, the biographer could use the sidebars and headlines to provide a better understanding of the period. In this biography, more detail about the history of the area or the organizations does not provide a better understanding. It would be hard not to recommend this book since so little is known about Dolores Huerta; her story deserves to be told. One wishes the book told Huerta's story more plainly. In spite of these shortcomings, this biography would serve young adults through community college readers wanting to find out more about this remarkable woman.