NextGen Policy Mourns the Passing of Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Leader and Activist

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2026
Contact: Tyler Bushnell, tyler.bushnell@nextgenpolicy.org

 

Statement from NextGen Policy Chief Deputy Director, Adriana Sanchez-Ochoa:

“Today, NextGen Policy joins the nation in mourning the passing of Dolores Huerta, an iconic force whose courage and actions transformed California’s labor movement and empowered generations of community leaders. 

“She was a fighter who broke down economic, racial, and gender barriers with a determination that never wavered, Dolores devoted her life to advancing justice. She saw the potential in every person and helped them recognize their own power. To Dolores, la lucha—the struggle—belonged to everyone, and every contribution mattered, regardless of how visible it was.

“At NextGen, we're proud to have worked alongside Dolores and the Dolores Huerta Foundation on initiatives such as Automatic Voter Registration, Cal Grant Reform, advocating for access to health coverage for undocumented adults in California, School Meals for All, and the fight for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water. Her dedication to advancing opportunities for underserved communities laid the foundation for our advocacy and shaped my own path in public service. We’ll continue to carry her legacy forward as we carry out our mission of building a more equitable, just, and climate-resilient future for all Californians.

“To her family and loved ones, thank you for sharing her light with the world. We honor Dolores Huerta for all she gave, all she stood for, and all she held sacred in the pursuit of a better world. May we carry her spirit forward in the work we do, the communities we serve and the people we lift along the way, remembering that the strength of a movement lies in all those who sustain it.”

###

NextGen Policy is a nonprofit advocacy organization that breaks down barriers and rebalances power in the State Capitol on behalf of all Californians.