Civil Rights Icon Dolores Huerta Named to Time's '100 Most Influential' List

Huerta also accused late labor leader Cesar Chavez of sexual assault in recent statement.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:05pm

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A cinematic painting of an elderly woman with a determined expression standing alone in a dimly lit room, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the lasting impact of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.The pioneering civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, now in her 90s, continues to cast a long shadow over the farmworkers' movement she helped build.Bakersfield Today

Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farmworkers union and a pioneering civil rights activist, has been named to Time magazine's prestigious '100 Most Influential People' list for 2026. In a statement last month, Huerta also accused the late Cesar Chavez, the founder of the UFW, of sexually assaulting her and fathering two of her children.

Why it matters

Huerta's inclusion on the Time 100 list further cements her legacy as a trailblazing labor and civil rights leader. Her accusations against Chavez also shine a light on the complex personal histories of prominent activists, underscoring the need to scrutinize the behavior of influential figures, even those revered for their public accomplishments.

The details

Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list recognizes individuals who have had a significant impact on the world. Huerta was named in the 'Pioneers' section, with feminist icon Gloria Steinem writing the profile. Steinem praised Huerta as a 'fierce political organizer' who helped farmworkers achieve better pay and working conditions. In a separate statement last month, Huerta accused the late Cesar Chavez, her co-founder of the United Farmworkers union, of sexually assaulting her and fathering two of her children.

  • Dolores Huerta was named to Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list for 2026.
  • Last month, Huerta released a statement accusing the late Cesar Chavez of sexual assault.

The players

Dolores Huerta

A civil rights leader, activist, and co-founder of the United Farmworkers union, who was recently named to Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list for 2026.

Cesar Chavez

The late founder of the United Farmworkers union, who Dolores Huerta has accused of sexually assaulting her and fathering two of her children.

Gloria Steinem

A feminist and social-political activist who co-founded the second-wave feminist movement, and wrote the profile on Dolores Huerta for Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list.

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What they’re saying

“The truth about Chavez reminds us to look honestly at the behavior of everyone, including our leaders, and to lend support to those who may be hurt by misused power.”

— Gloria Steinem, Feminist and social-political activist

The takeaway

Dolores Huerta's inclusion on Time's prestigious '100 Most Influential People' list underscores her enduring legacy as a trailblazing civil rights and labor leader. However, her recent accusations against her co-founder Cesar Chavez also highlight the need to scrutinize the personal conduct of influential figures, even those revered for their public accomplishments.