State Assemblymember Liz Ortega reflects on Dolores Huerta's legacy

Well, there is no doubt that Dolores Huerta opened doors for generations of people. She challenged expectations, broke barriers, and showed others what is possible. So what does her legacy mean to those who followed in her footsteps? Joining me now live this afternoon is State Assemblymember Liz Ortega, who represents part of the East Bay and currently chairs the Labor and Employment Committee. Really appreciate you taking the time, Liz. So when you think about Dolores Huerta and the path that she helped pave for so many people, What does her legacy mean to you personally? First of all, thank you for doing this. It means a lot to our community to have you talk about her legacy. It still doesn't feel real. But to answer your question, she was fearless. She was an organizer. And she inspired not just me, but generations of women to stand up, to fight back, to organize, and to win. She believed in those things every single day, and that is how she led. And I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for her. Growing up, I did not have a lot of women to look up to. They looked like me and they felt the way I did and she was definitely that icon for me and for many other women across this country. Did you get an opportunity to spend much time with Dolores and if so, what do you remember about those encounters, those conversations? Yes, I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with Dolores over the years. And the one thing that I always think about every single time I saw her and today as I was getting ready for this interview is her just fears, fears, how fearless she is and was her courage. And her willingness to keep fighting every single day, she was in Sacramento a couple months ago at 96 years old, still doing what she loved most, standing up and fighting for people who otherwise would not have a voice. And that is what I think about every single time that I think about her and will continue to share with anyone who asks me. And I wouldn't do her justice if I didn't tell our viewers today to make sure they go out and vote. Because that's what she would want you to do. Yeah, that is a really important message as we approach Election Day coming up just next week. You were the first Latina to lead the Alameda Labor Council, and you talked about sort of reflecting on the women who came before you. Did you really realize that you were able to do something, you know, to lead this council that they had fought to make possible? Yeah, because it was never about Liz Ortega, and like, it was never about Dolores. It's always been about the workers and the people who otherwise would not have a voice. We never did this together, and that's the other thing that I always think about when I think of Dolores, is that she was always focused on what she could do for someone else. And that is how I've led the labor council. And that's how I lead today as your state assembly member is thinking about what I can do to make tomorrow better. And now here you are chairing the Assembly's Labor and Employment Committee. I mean, how do you carry that fight forward? And do you feel as though you are continuing to make progress? Absolutely. Every day I take that fight in that spirit that she had with me and continue to move the needle forward. And we'll continue to do so for as long as the voters send me back to Sacramento. And I think as long as we have income inequality in this country, our work will never be over. Her light will never be out as long as we keep fighting. And do you feel a responsibility to open those same doors for the next generation? Absolutely. I said, I didn't see anyone that looked like me when I was growing up other than Dolores. And I hope that other young women look at her and myself and see that they can also stand up and do something for their community and share those values of strength. And of light and never stop believing that there's hope and that you can make a difference. All right. Really appreciate you coming on the show this afternoon to share with us your memories of Dolores Huerta. Also want to point out that you are running for reelection against your Republican challenger, Patricia Muga. Really appreciate it. And as you mentioned, it is important for everyone to follow in Dolores Huerta's steps and perhaps really honor her legacy, especially coming up on Tuesday. Really appreciate it. Thank you, Assemblymember. Thank you.