Dolores Huerta: Inspiring Civic Responsibility
Overview
Students explore the experiences of Mexican-American farmworkers in the United States and learn about how they – especially through the leadership of Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers – worked with others for improvements in pay and working conditions, as well as respect for their civil rights. Students analyze primary sources that document working and living conditions at different times in order to build context and then analyze additional sources that highlight the contributions of Dolores Huerta, including a poem written to celebrate her work. Finally, students write a poem, speech, or letter to the editor about a social movement (past, present, or future) that inspires them to fulfill their civic responsibilities.
Related Resources
-
Viva la Causa! Dolores Huerta and Hispanic Heritage Month
Library blog post -
Celebrating "One Life: Dolores Huerta"
poets discussing Huerta and reading poems about her -
Celebrating Women’s History Month by Honoring Dolores Huerta
Thinking Nation blog post -
Today in History: Mexican Americans & United Farm Workers of America
background, primary & secondary sources -
Learning from the Source: Cesar Chavez & Good Citizenship
middle school lesson plan -
Primary Source Spotlight: Labor
primary sources, articles, teaching resources -
Diana García Reading From Her Work
audio recording & transcription -
U Stories: Diana García on Writing Poetry
video
Grade
High School
Subjects
Civics, English Language Arts
Length
minutes
Topics
AWOC, boycott, civic action, civic engagement, civil rights, coalitions, Dolores Huerta, Filipino Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, huelga, labor, National Farm Workers Association, NFWA, poetry, strike, UFW, union, United Farm Workers