On Wednesday, she urged people at the University of Utah to join her in calling for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to veto SB81, a comprehensive bill targeting illegal immigration.

"We don't want Utah to be seen as a state that supports hate groups," she said, referring to organizations, such as the Utah Minutemen, who back SB81.

Huntsman has about two more weeks to decide whether he will sign or veto SB81; he is expected to sign the bill. It passed with a greater than two-thirds majority vote, which means the Legislature can overturn a veto unless some lawmakers change their minds.

The Sutherland Institute, a Utah conservative think tank, also announced Wednesday its opposition to SB81 unless an immigration task force is created to examine the bill and illegal immigration in the state.

Huerta spoke to about 300 people for about 90 minutes as part of the U.'s Women's Week, which this year is themed: "Political Is Personal: Activism Embodied."

Huerta has devoted a career to fighting for the rights of poor people, farmworkers, women and others. She co-founded the United Farm Workers in the 1960s working with late labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Huerta encouraged folks to get involved in the political process by running for office, knocking on doors to register people to vote, and being persistent with lawmakers.

"Voting is not enough," she said. "Nothing's going to change unless we do it ourselves."

Huerta, 77 and a mother of 11 grown children, also discussed her opposition of legislation that limits a women's right to do what she wants with her body, as well as legislation against gay partnerships.

She got a big laugh out of the crowd when she talked about why girls are raised to think that a "Prince Charming" will take care of them. She said it is sad that some women eventually kiss a man and fall asleep, forgetting about their dreams, college and career.

Women need to be more confident and believe that they can make a difference, she said. If the world is going to improve human rights, there has to be gender balance or equality, Huerta said.

"They have to realize that women aren't going to be servants anymore," she said. "Those days are gone forever."

Some students said they were glad they had a chance to listen to Huerta.

Kyle Hart, a 22-year-old U. business freshman, said he attended the event for a class assignment and didn't realize Huerta's impact on U.S. history until Wednesday.

"I thought it was amazing because she brought up a lot of good points," he said.

Nubia Velasquez, a U. communication senior, said she never learned about Huerta until she heard about her from friends in college. Velasquez said she doesn't often speak up on issues because she's a Latina college student without much political experience. But, after listening to Huerta, she was empowered.

"It gave me that push to get involved," she said.

jsanchez@sltrib.com