Adams State University will host a Skype session with Dolores Huerta at 6 p.m. Friday, May 6, in McDaniel Hall room 101. The event is free and open to the public.
Huerta will address data, statistics, cases regarding the chemicals used in agri-business being pumped into the land; toxicity; depletion of aquifers; issues of social justice regarding LGBTQ people, especially in rural America; and environmental and other issues specific to the San Luis Valley.
According to the website doloreshuerta.org, Huerta was born in northern New Mexico and spent most of her childhood and early adult life in California. At 83, Dolores Huerta continues to work tirelessly developing leaders and advocating for the working poor, women, and children. As founder and president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she travels across the country engaging in campaigns and influencing legislation that supports equality and defends civil rights. She often speaks to students and organizations about issues of social justice and public policy.
She was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in March of 2013. She has received numerous awards: among them The Eleanor Roosevelt Humans Rights Award from President Clinton in l998, Ms. Magazine’s One of the Three Most Important Women of l997, Ladies Home Journal’s 100 Most Important Woman of the 20th Century, The Puffin Foundation’s Award for Creative Citizenship: Labor Leader Award 1984, The Kern County Woman of The Year Award from the California State Legislature, The Ohtli Award from the Mexican Government, The Smithsonian Institution – James Smithson Award, and Nine Honorary Doctorates from Universities throughout the United States.
In 2012 President Obama bestowed Dolores with her most prestigious award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
The event sponsors include the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Latino Americans, Adams State Cultural Awareness and Student Achievement Center (CASA) and Nielsen Library.
For more information call 719-688-9083.
