Yesterday, President Obama awarded Dolores Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her incredible work organizing farm workers and supporting immigrants, labor, and women’s rights. Huerta is a member of the board of directors for People for the American Way (PFAW); we were able to join her and her family in celebrating her life at a reception at the PFAW offices. The groups in attendance reflected the amazing influence that Huerta has had over her 50+ years of activism: labor groups, unions, women’s groups, civil rights organizations, LGBT groups, administration officials, and nine of Huerta’s eleven children.
A week ago, Huerta wrote an article on the Huffington Post responding to the fervor surrounding President Obama’s public announcement in favor marriage equality. A long-time advocate for the LGBT community and a Latina, Huerta directly addressed the claims that the president’s announcement would cost him votes in the Latino community.
As a community that has fought and continues to fight against bigotry and discrimination, we understand how dangerous it is to pick and choose who deserve equality and respect. Those of us who have dedicated our lives to working for immigrants’ rights and workers’ rights understand the core American value of equality under the law. A better country for immigrants is a better country for all. A better country for gays and lesbians is a better country for all. We’re all in this together.
We are all in this together and we are lucky to have leaders like Dolores Huerta heading the charge towards freedom, justice, and equal rights for all.