In more than 40 years of community activism, she has fought for the rights of poor farmworkers and their families. The co-founder of United Farm Workers made history in the mid-1960s as a single mother who helped negotiate a farmworker contract with an agricultural corporation for the first time in the nation's history.

Working with labor leader Cesar Chavez, she also helped create the first medical and pension plans and credit union for poor workers.

"We thought she was a fantastic role model of a woman who is not just running for government per se but who is making change at a more grass-roots level," University of Utah spokeswoman Taunya Dressler said.

The U. invited Huerta, 77, to be the keynote speaker during its 2008 Women's Week Celebration because she embodies passion for change that affects people's lives.

"It's extremely important [to have events such as Women's Week]. We need women to take their place in the world," Huerta said in a telephone interview. "Women are the ones who define the tradition for the family and if the woman gets involved, the whole family gets involved."

This year's Women's Week theme, "Political is Personal: Activism Embodied," encourages Utah women to determine what's important and engage themselves in a cause.

In her address, "Now is the Time: Activism for Social Change," Huerta will talk about gender balance, the way women in today's world are raised and the lack of representation of women in government, she said.

She also will talk about immigration issues.

"Anti-immigrant hysteria perpetuated is also political. Before it was against feminists, women's right to choose and then it was against the people who were gays and lesbians," Huerta said. "Now immigrants are the target."

She said immigration legislation that the Utah Legislature is considering is terrible because it makes people feel like they are not wanted, especially the children.

In her address, Huerta also will talk about the United Farm Workers and the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which focuses on helping people get organized for social causes.

rorellana@sltrib.com

United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta will speak at 4 p.m. March 12 at the U.'s Olpin Union Ballroom. The Women's Week celebration runs Monday through March 14. Other events include:

* Performances of Top Girls will be 2 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. March 9 in Studio 115 of the Performing Arts Building.

* "Running in High Heels," a 50-minute documentary, will be shown at 3 p.m. March 11 at the Olpin Union Theater.

* "An Evening with Tania Katan" will feature a performance based on the author's memoir,

My One Night Stand with Cancer at 7 p.m. March 13 at the Salt Lake Public Library, 210 E. 400 South.

* For more events, visit www.womensweek.utah.edu/