Locals react to Dolores Huerta’s passing

YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA) - Locals across Yuma County are sharing their reaction to Dolores Huerta's passing Wednesday.

Huerta's family released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved mother, Dolores Huerta, has passed away today at the age of 96."

"As you can imagine, this is an incredibly difficult time for us, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this incredible loss to our family," the statement added.

She was a well-known activist for improving working conditions for farmworkers and championing the rights of marginalized communities.

Huerta also co-founded the United Farm Workers Union with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s.

News 11 spoke with San Luis, Arizona Mayor Nieves Riedel, who said she first met Huerta when she was just 17-years-old, picking grapes in Delano, California, where Huerta was organizing farmworkers.

Mayor Riedel said Huerta fought for changes that helped shape life in San Luis, like access to healthcare and childcare for farmworker families.

"She was a person that we young girls admire and follow. And we wanted to be like her. And we wanted to be like her. Command. Respect. Have ideas. Fight for what is right. For what was an injustice," Riedel expressed.

Riedel also said while Huerta's death is a loss for the community, her legacy can still teach younger generations what it takes to make a difference: Hard work and the ability to win hearts and minds.