One of the US’s most well-known Latina civil rights leaders, Dolores Huerta, has passed away at the age of 96, and her passing has deeply affected Billie Jean King. She died of cancer on Wednesday, October 28, and spent her final moments at her home in Bakersfield, California. King and Dolores knew each other well, and also had a sense of admiration for one another. She shared a heartfelt message for Dolores, sending her condolences to her family and friends.

“It is a sad day because the world has lost the hardworking activist who helped launch the nation’s first enduring union for poor farmworkers, @DoloresHuerta,” she wrote on X. “Devoted to advocating for a more equitable distribution of wealth in America, she worked tirelessly for disadvantaged farmworkers.”

King highlighted the monumental role Dolores played in the lives of countless people as a civil rights activist and even claimed that she was never given the credit she deserved.

“Ilana and I had the honor of knowing Dolores. She was charming, fiery, and and an instrumental part of so many people’s lives, often working under the radar without little credit given for her efforts. We will remember her fondly, and her message of “Sí, se puede!” (Yes, we can!) will live on. Sending our deepest condolences to her family and friends,” she added.

There were several moments that highlighted the close bond between King and Dolores. One of the most prominent ones came in 2017 when Dolores was awarded the California State University, Los Angeles Presidential Medallion at the 20th Annual Billie Jean King & Friends Gala. During the event, she praised King for helping women and people of color get athletic opportunities.

“When people engage in sports, it really helps them to overcome their inhibitions, their fears of ‘I can’t.’ They know that they belong,” she had said during her speech. “It builds their emotional fortitude, it builds their inner strength.”

Coming to Dolores’ achievements, she fought valiantly for farm workers’ rights and social justice. She co-founded the United Farm Workers Union and even coined the famous term, “Si se puede,” which King also referred to. This term significantly empowered the farm workers movement at the time.

Dolores also received several accolades for her work as a civil rights activist. In 1993, she was the first Latina to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She was then awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former US President Barack Obama in 2012.

Following Dolores’ passing, the United Farm Workers Union paid a fitting tribute to her through a statement that would touch the heart of anyone who knew Dolores.

The United Farm Workers Union mourned the passing of Dolores Huerta in an emotional statement

“A tireless advocate for farm workers, women, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community, and all marginalized people, Dolores was also a friend and mentor to generations of UFW organizers, members, volunteers and staff,” the statement read. “Her life’s work was to empower her community to face and overcome injustices, and she has left farm workers and the entire Latino community stronger and more organized than she found it.”

Additionally, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who shared a close bond with Dolores for more than 25 years, remarked that the latter’s main focus was to make the world a better place.

“Dolores was incredibly focused and committed to making this world a better place,” she said in a statement. “She never lost track of that. She never lost track of that north star.”

Romero co-hosted a vigil to honor Dolores’ life and legacy alongside Representative Adelita Grijalva and the Arizona Dolores Huerta Unity Coalition. The ceremony was held at the Joaquin Murrieta Park on Tucson’s west side.