Dolores

Set in the mid-20th century, the documentary situates Dolores Huerta's early life amid postwar social change and civil rights ferment. It recalls police brutality, community struggle, and the push for greater equality that motivated her organizing. The period culminates in the late 1950s when she leads the Stockton chapter and helps birth the United Farm Workers of America.

The film unfolds in California's Central Valley and Bay Area, focusing on Stockton and Delano as hubs of Latino communities and labor organizing. It shows how these places became stages for community meetings, protests, and legislative lobbying. The landscape of offices filled with organizers and nearby farms highlights the living conditions and work that Dolores Huerta fought to improve. The settings illustrate how place shaped the movement's tactics and relationships.

✊ Activism

The film traces Dolores Huerta's evolution from a concerned mother to a relentless organizer. It presents her methods—mobilizing crowds, lobbying legislators, and coordinating grassroots campaigns—as tools to challenge injustice. Through her work with Fred Ross and Cesar Chavez, the documentary shows the power of collective action in transforming communities. It also emphasizes the personal sacrifices demanded by social change.

💪 Leadership

Dolores Huerta is portrayed as a steadfast leader who navigates political, familial, and logistical obstacles to advance a cause. The narrative highlights her ability to rally people, coordinate diverse allies, and endure relocation for the movement. It shows how leadership in a marginalized community requires resilience, strategy, and moral clarity.

🌾 Labor

A central thread is the struggle of farm workers to secure fair pay, safer conditions, and recognition. The formation of the United Farm Workers of America marks a turning point in organizing labor across California's agricultural sector. The film connects farm labor to broader social justice efforts and documents the harsh realities workers faced.