Dolores Huerta’s Leading Role in the Farmworkers’ Movement Featured in Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition at Gilroy Library

Longtime Activist Will Also Participate in a Special Panel Discussion

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is honored to present the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s new bilingual exhibition, Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos. The exhibition will be on display at Gilroy Library from Saturday, November 5, 2022 to Monday, January 23, 2023.

Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos shares the compelling story of the activist and leader, and the farmworker movement of the 1960s and 1970s. It features reproductions of historic and personal photographs with text in English and Spanish. It will detail Huerta’s life from her early influences, through the United Farm Workers’ grape boycotts and landmark agreements with grape-growing conglomerates. Immerse yourself in the full experience by downloading the Dolores Huerta bilingual mobile app, designed to accompany the exhibition. It features more than a dozen videos with Ms. Huerta. This free app is available for iOS and Android. Search “Dolores Huerta” in the App Store or on Google Play.

“It is a privilege for the Santa Clara County Library District to host an exhibition from a distinguished organization like the Smithsonian about a remarkable woman such as Dolores Huerta,” said County Librarian Jennifer Weeks. “At a time when women were expected to only play a domestic role, Huerta and her colleagues sacrificed their own well-being to challenge the system and create a better life for farmworkers. She coined the popular phrase, “Yes, we can!/¡Sí, se puede!” and yes, they did!”

In addition, Ms. Huerta will participate in a special Hispanic Heritage Month panel discussion on Saturday, November 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Wheeler Center in Gilroy (next to Gilroy Library). She will be joined by educator and author Francisco Jiménez and filmmaker and actor Luis Valdez to discuss such topics as hardship and resiliency. There will be entertainment before and after the free panel discussion, including Aztec dancers at 1:00 p.m. and Mariachi music at 3:30 p.m.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the residents of Santa Clara County to not only enjoy a carefully curated exhibition about Dolores Huerta, but to hear from her and other driving forces behind the farmworkers’ movement,” said Mike Wasserman, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and President of the Library Joint Powers Authority Board. “Thank you to the Santa Clara County Library District for bringing in free quality programs like this exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and panel discussion.”

Find information about both events and additional resources on our website.

Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos

Saturday, November 5, 2022 – Monday, January 23, 2023
Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth Street
No registration required

Panel Discussion with Dolores Huerta

Saturday, November 12 at 2 p.m.
Wheeler Center, 270 W. Sixth Street (near Gilroy Library)
Please register for this free event
Spanish translation will be available

Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en los Campos was organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. This exhibition received federal support from the Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center.