BY KAREN BOSSICK
Cesar Chavez has long been credited with transforming the U.S. labor movement by leading the first farm workers’ union.
But not so well known is the story of his equally influential co-founder Dolores Huerta, who led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the 20th Century.
Huerta, now 91, will be in Sun Valley for two screenings of “Dolores,” a documentary covering her life, on Sunday and Monday, March 13-14. She will also speak at a Meet & Greet Monday evening at the Limelight Ballroom of Sun Valley Inn.
“Bringing Dolores Huerta to our community does not solve any specific issue we face as a community today, but understanding the influence and impact Dolores has delivered in her 91 years of service will inspire (those who are working to better conditions for the community) to continue in the work,” said Tammy Davis, executive director of The Crisis Hotline.
The Crisis Hotline and ProjectToolsFor Success started a bilingual support line during the pandemic, as well as Neighbors Helping Neighbors to provide support to families up and down the valley during the pandemic. Out of that came the Hispanic/LatinUS Leadership Task Force, a boots-on-the-ground outreach program to keep local community leaders informed and build leadership in the Hispanic/Latino community.
All three organizations are involved in hosting this event.
- “Dolores,” a documentary film about the rebel, activist, feminist and mother will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at the Sun Valley Opera House, the showing sponsored by The Alliance of Idaho, ProjecToolSuccess, La Perrona radio station and Cox Communications.
Free tickets are available at https://crisishotlineidaho.networkforgood.com/events/40763-free-screening-dolores-the-movie
The 97-minute film will be repeated at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 14, at The Community Library in Ketchum. It will be in-person only, and it will be followed by a discussion hosted by members of Blaine County Amnesty International, who have been leading discussions based on the book “So You Want to Talk About Race.”
This particular discussion will key off Chapters 8 and 13: “What is the School-to-Prison Pipeline?” and “Why are Our Students So Angry?”
As of this week, The Community is no longer requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or facemasks to attend events in the John A. and Carole O. Moran Lecture Hall.
The film, which was screened at Sundance Film Festival, was voted the Audience Award Best Doc at the San Francisco International Film Festival and winner of the Golden Space Needle Award Best Doc at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Peter Bratt’s provocative film shows how Huerta empowered a generation of immigrants to stand up for their rights, even as she faced false accusations of child neglect and immoral behavior.
- A Meet and Greet with Huerta, an Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Awardee and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Limelight Ballroom in the Sun Valley Inn. The event, which includes light fare, costs $50, Call 208-788-0735 or visit www.thecrisishotline.org for tickets. Huerta is expected to make a few remarks at the event.