The radical legacy of Dolores Huerta comes to Norfolk

“Dolores,” the documentary about legendary civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be at the Norfolk Library on Oct. 19.
Provided

“Dolores,” the documentary about legendary civil rights activist Dolores Huerta will be at the Norfolk Library on Oct. 19.
On Sunday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m., the Norfolk Library will host a free public screening of “Dolores,” a critically acclaimed documentary about Dolores Huerta, one of the most important — and often overlooked — figures in American labor and civil rights history. Now 95, Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union with César Chavez and helped lead the grape boycott of the 1960s, a powerful act of economic resistance that brought national attention to the exploitation of farm workers.
Directed by Peter Bratt and executive produced by Carlos Santana, “Dolores” presents an unflinching portrait of a woman whose voice, body and will shaped the political terrain of the United States.
In 1970, Huerta was organizing in Arizona when a group told her change was impossible.
“They said, ‘Oh, Dolores, in California, you can do these things but here in Arizona, you can’t,’” Huerta recalled in a recent interview by phone. “And my response was, ‘Sí se puede in Arizona.’” When she shared that message at a rally, the crowd rose to their feet, chanting “Sí se puede,” and a call to action was born.
President Obama adopted the slogan for his 2008 campaign. “Yes We Can” posters and stickers were everywhere. Obama, having mistakenly credited Chavez with coining the phrase, later apologized as he honored Huerta with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Huerta wears the badge of feminist icon with pride. “I always thought I was a feminist because my mother was a businesswoman,” she said. “She divorced my dad because he was abusive and always taught me to have my own bank account, always pushed me to speak out.”
But, like many raised Catholic, Huerta once believed birth control and abortion were sins. Through her friendships with Gloria Steinem and Eleanor Smeal, that changed. Huerta is a founding member of the Feminist Majority Foundation, led by Smeal, which promotes nonviolence, equality, and women’s empowerment.
“There are two big issues in the Feminist Majority Foundation,” Huerta explained. “One is a woman’s right to abortion — women must control their own bodies. The second is back in 1987, we launched the Feminization of Power campaign to get more women elected. With one campaign, we succeeded in getting the largest number of women of color into California’s state legislature.”
How does she feel about the word feminist now?
“Well, now we have to use the word. There’s a difference between women’s policies and feminist policies. Look at the Trump cabinet — there are many women, but the policies don’t protect women. Our goal is to get more feminists elected. We will never have peace in the world until feminists take power.”
There are few moments more urgent than now to gather in community to reckon with these powerful words and the rest of Huerta’s radical legacy. This film offers not just biography but revolutionary remembrance — telling the story of a leader, a mother, an uncompromising feminist and a visionary who still fights for liberation.
Huerta still believes deeply in the power of economic pressure and solidarity. “We saw it with the Target boycott,” she said. “They were going to drop DEI policies, so people stopped shopping. No picketing — just word of mouth. And it worked. Shares dropped. The CEO resigned. Now we have to be bigger and more coordinated in our efforts.”
She also praised recent community resistance to ICE raids. “In L.A., people stood in front of a business to stop ICE detentions. What ICE didn’t expect was the Anglo community to show up too. That kind of solidarity is powerful. ”
Huerta’s nephew, John Fernandez, who lives in Colebrook, Connecticut, will introduce the screening and share a personal perspective on her legacy.
Asked what advice she has for young activists, Huerta pointed to today’s digital tools. “Social media, cell phones — people can organize fast. Look at George Floyd. That one video sparked a global movement.”
Huerta reminds us that organizing takes discipline, clarity, and a refusal to accept the violence of poverty, racism, misogyny, and xenophobia as inevitable. Economic resistance — boycotts, strikes, direct action — remain among the most potent tools we have.
“You can’t learn leadership by osmosis,” she said. “You’ve gotta live it.” And live it she has — and does. At 95, Huerta still dances weekly at a jazz workshop in Bakersfield and leads her foundation’s work on voter turnout and redistricting reforms in California.
As always, she reminds us: “We have to stay active. We have to participate. Change doesn’t happen by itself — we make it happen.”
For more information about the work of the Dolores Huerta Foundation, visit:
https://doloreshuerta.org. To RSVP for the Oct. 19 screening, visit: norfolklibrary.org/events/documentary-film-dolores
The HVRHS boys rejoice around Jackson McAvoy after he scored the game-winning goal against Shepaug with just two minutes left to play.
WASHINGTON — Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s boys varsity soccer team advanced to the Berkshire League tournament final after a 1-0 win over Shepaug Valley High School in the semifinal game on Friday, Oct. 24.
Jackson McAvoy scored the game-winning goal with just two minutes remaining.
The victory marked HVRHS boys soccer’s first victory over Shepaug since 2020.
“Finally,” said HVRHS Coach Adolfo Portillo after the game.
HVRHS will play top-ranked Nonnewaug High School in the BL final. Nonnewaug advanced to the title game by beating Northwestern Regional High School in penalty kicks (4-3) after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The championship game will be played at Nonnewaug beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28.

Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
SNOW PLOWING: Be Ready! Local. Sharon/Millerton/Lakeville area. Call 518-567-8277.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.

Students dressed in neon lined the soccer field for senior night under the lights on Thursday, Oct. 16. The game against Lakeview was the last in a series of competitions Thursday night in celebration of Homecoming 2025.
As homecoming week reaches its end and fall sports finish out the season, an air of school spirit and student participation seems to be on the rise across Housatonic Valley Regional High School.
But what can be attributed to this sudden peak of student interest? That’s largely due to SGA. Also known as the Student Government Association, SGA has dedicated itself to creating events to bring the entire student body together. This year, they decided to change some traditions.
Spirit week from Oct. 14-17 was unlike those of the previous years. From wearing Housatonic merch to Boomer vs Baby day, this year’s spirit week held a little friendly competition to see which grade could participate the most.
“I think that students are bored of the same old activities and events, so it’s good to switch things up even slightly to incentivize interest within students,” said SGA president and senior Mollie Ford. “Plus the point system is super beneficial because it gives students a reason to participate.”
The school spirit sentiment can be seen outside of just the school. Senior Simon Markow is known for his photography throughout the community, and has dedicated time to help Housy sports teams’ social media posts.
“Since I’ve started photography, I think school attendance [at sports games] has gone up,” Markow said. “I feel this year, students will be more aware of games and are more likely to be at the games.”
Whether it’s a pink-out volleyball game or an under the lights soccer match, it’s likely you’ll see some familiar faces.
Social media has played a large role in this over the years. Almost every student organization at Housatonic has an Instagram account, and it’s helped reach students more efficiently than a poster or email would.
“The increase of social media use, with the help from me but as well as the teams themselves has definitely increased student interest,” Markow said. “With Housy teams posting more about their upcoming games, and my help showing the cool goals, spikes, or touchdowns, it’s enlightened students to watch the games themselves.”
In a small school, promoting pride has proven to be a challenge. But this year’s senior class has made some adjustments in the hopes to change that.
“The SGA community has spent the last few years really focusing on student participation, because we think it’s the students who contribute to a better climate,” Ford said. While Housatonic’s student body may be small in size, it seems they certainly aren’t small in spirit.