On March 18, the New York Times published an investigative piece that revealed the historic and well-documented abuse that César Chávez perpetrated against young girls and women throughout his career. This news shocked labor rights organizers, governing officials and individuals across the nation as the true nature of the previously beloved United Farm Workers (UFW) co-founder came to light. Over the past several weeks, decision makers have deliberated the best approach to remediating monuments constructed in honor of Chávez’s life and work.

As Salt Lake City moves forward with similar efforts, it is my belief that we should continue to represent the history of Mexican American labor activists through the recognition of César Chávez’s fellow organizer, Dolores Huerta. This is why, during the March 24 Council Meeting, I voiced my preference that all street segments referred to as “César Chávez Blvd” in Salt Lake City be promptly renamed to “Dolores Huerta Blvd.”

Dolores Huerta was raised in the Western United States and gained an interest in civil rights and labor movements through her involvement with the Community Service Organization in Stockton, California. She met Chávez during this period and established the United Farm Workers union with him in 1962. Huerta was crucial to the success of the organization and the greater labor movement, working to negotiate thousands of labor contracts, lobbying to repeal harmful legislation, organizing collective strikes, and even coining the primary phrase of the organization: “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, we can!”).

Huerta revealed only recently that she was sexually assaulted by Chávez multiple times during the time in which they worked together. Throughout these years, she says she was often dismissed and belittled by him, but remained committed to relentlessly pursuing justice for Mexicans, Mexican Americans and immigrant workers for decades. Today, at the age of 96, Huerta continues her fight by speaking at schools, advocating for legislative change and carrying the legacy of the UFW into the future.

As I reflect on this history, and current events, I find myself thinking about what and who we choose to honor in our public spaces. Street names are not just markers on a map; they are statements about our values and the stories we elevate. For me, this moment feels like an opportunity to align those values more closely with integrity, resilience and truth. Dolores Huerta’s story is not only one of leadership but also of perseverance in the face of harm and of speaking up — something that deserves recognition, especially in a time when so many voices have historically been overlooked.

As local decision makers are forced to reevaluate the individuals that they wish to honor through street names, statues and celebrations, we are presented with an opportunity to recognize the often-overlooked women of the Chicano labor movement. Dolores Huerta — co-founder of the UFW, a figurehead in the fight for the universal rights of workers and a resilient and persevering woman — embodies the qualities that we hope every resident of Salt Lake City seeks to emulate.

More importantly, she represents the kind of courage we should want reflected in the next generation.

I hope that current and future children in our city grow up looking to Huerta as a role model and someone who fought tirelessly for a better society and who found the strength to speak her truth, even in the face of injustice. She is a symbol of the courage we need more of, courage to challenge wrongdoing, to uplift others and to build a more equitable world.

As the anniversary of her April 10 birthday passes, now is the perfect time to correct historic harm while choosing to elevate voices that will inspire, edify and lead us forward.

You can can share feedback about this proposal by emailing council.comments@slc.gov, calling 801-535-7654 or by showing up to our public hearing May 5.

Alejandro Puy is the Salt Lake City Council Member for District 2 and Council Chair.

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