Scandal Taints Legacy of Farmworker Movement Founders Chávez and Huerta

Revelations of sexual abuse allegations against César Chávez are forcing a reassessment of the United Farm Workers union he co-founded with Dolores Huerta.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:00am

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Dolores Huerta has come forward with allegations that her longtime partner and co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW) union, César Chávez, sexually abused her and other women and girls in the 1960s and 1970s. These revelations are adding to a growing reassessment of the UFW's history and legacy, which has already been tarnished by reports of internal strife, mismanagement, and the union's dramatic decline since its peak in the 1970s.

Why it matters

The UFW was one of the most influential labor movements in U.S. history, inspiring decades of activism, particularly in the Latino community. Chávez's name adorns hundreds of schools, parks, and other institutions, so these allegations will likely lead to a reckoning over how his legacy is portrayed. It also raises questions about the UFW's future and whether the organization can overcome the damage to its reputation.

The details

Huerta, now 95, says Chávez pressured her to have sex with him during a trip to Southern California in the 1960s and later sexually assaulted her in a grape field. She also alleges that Chávez demeaned and undermined her, causing her to leave UFW headquarters for weeks at a time. The New York Times also reported allegations that Chávez sexually abused two underage girls in the 1970s. These revelations have sparked a movement to remove Chávez's name from institutions, and they are likely to change how the UFW's history is presented in classrooms and history books.

  • In the 1960s, Chávez allegedly pressured Huerta to have sex with him during a trip to Southern California.
  • In the 1970s, Chávez allegedly sexually assaulted Huerta in a grape field on the outskirts of Delano.
  • In the 1970s, Chávez is also alleged to have sexually abused two underage girls.

The players

César Chávez

The co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, who is now accused of sexually abusing Dolores Huerta and other women and girls.

Dolores Huerta

The co-founder of the United Farm Workers union, who has come forward with allegations that Chávez sexually abused her and other women in the 1960s and 1970s.

Matt Garcia

A professor of Latin American, Latino and Caribbean studies, history and social relations at Dartmouth, who has written about the failures and problems within the UFW.

Maria Quintana

An associate professor of history at Sacramento State University, who says the #MeToo reckoning has likely contributed to the willingness of women to come forward with allegations against Chávez.

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What they’re saying

“What's now being exposed is that the wheels had fallen off years before César Chávez died and for reasons that have to do with his megalomania, his bad decisions and the internal strife" inside union headquarters.”

— Matt Garcia, Professor, Dartmouth

“He had an evil side to him.”

— Dolores Huerta

“Women are not seen as human beings. We're just seen as sex objects.”

— Dolores Huerta

What’s next

The United Farm Workers organization has said it is taking the allegations against Chávez seriously and has canceled César Chávez Day celebrations this month. The future of Chávez's name on schools, parks, and other institutions is likely to be a subject of intense debate and scrutiny.

The takeaway

The revelations about César Chávez's alleged sexual abuse of women and girls are forcing a major reassessment of the United Farm Workers union and its founder's legacy. This reckoning highlights the need to confront the complex histories of even revered social movements, and to ensure that the experiences and voices of all those involved, especially marginalized groups, are heard and honored.