Earlier this month, the team at Life Stories reached out to let me know that Seeds of Change, a short film about the life and legacy of Dolores Huerta, would premiere on YouTube.

That pitch came while I was traveling on a local journalism listening tour across Massachusetts for my day job at Free Press (it was joyful), so I didn’t have the time to write a detailed review of the short film or share my thoughts about Life Stories’ longer interview with Dolores, who is now 95 years old and shows no sign of slowing down in the fight.

Back in 2011, the same year I founded Latino Rebels, I had the honor of meeting Dolores for the first time at a social media conference in Chicago. She was already in her 80s, and I thought she was one of the most amazing people I have ever met.

Over the years, as a journalist covering the complexities of Latino communities, Dolores always took the time to answer my questions, even when I had to ask difficult ones. She always greeted me with grace and empathy. There is nothing more that I can ask.

I still marvel at her dedication and purpose in life. And as I get older and grayer, the sense of admiration and awe for her place in our community has only gotten stronger.

Which is why being reminded of Dolores’ legacy — from wherever and whenever — always hits with me. American history is not complete without Dolores Huerta, and we should never forget that.

So while I didn’t have the time to give this story the attention it deserves, I did ask the Life Stories team one question: Why tell Dolores’ story again during these times?

This is what George Kunhardt, Executive Director at Life Stories, told me:

When we set out to make Seeds of Change, our goal was not simply to revisit history but to listen. We wanted to let Dolores Huerta reflect on a lifetime of work that speaks to the challenges of today.

At 95, she reminds us that the fight for dignity, fairness, and community is ongoing, and that it “can't be left to someone else.” Her story is not only about labor rights or civil rights; it is about the belief that every person has the power and the responsibility to make a difference.

It's why we've made the film available free of charge as part of Life Stories’ commitment to providing high-quality educational programming and open access to stories that inspire. In a moment when many people feel disconnected or discouraged, Dolores’ words offer hope and a way forward with collective action. Seeds of Change is both a tribute and an invitation to remember where our progress comes from and the possibility of building a more just world for everyone. 

This is the film and the interview:

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Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder of The Latino Newsletter. He is also its current part-time publisher and executive director.

This edition of The Latino Newsletter was written, edited, and published by Julio Ricardo Varela.

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