While most people would spend their golden years enjoying retirement, Huerta never stopped fighting. Living up to her famous rallying cry, “Sí, se puede!” (“Yes, it can be done”), the civil rights activist marched alongside protesters, spoke on countless panels and lent her voice to progressive causes well into her 90s. And it wasn’t just on issues impacting Latinos but also African Americans, the LGBTQ+ community and women. Not just an organizer, Huerta during every major election encouraged voters and endorsed candidates. She also pushed more Latinos to consider running for office.

Even after Huerta revealed in March that she was among the women and girls who say they were sexually abused by César Chavez, the labor leader she was inextricably linked to in history, admiration for her only strengthened.

Huerta once said she simply wanted to encourage younger generations, particularly women, to use their voice.

“I hope that they know they have a place,” Huerta told The Associated Press in August while attending the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary, “American Pachuco.”

“Never be afraid to take the leadership,” she said.