For the 2025 celebration of César Chávez Day of Service and Learning at the University of Michigan (U-M), Rackham and its many campus partners aim to continue to increase the visibility and awareness of the federal commemorative holiday by inviting Dolores Huerta to campus to serve as the keynote speaker.

Dolores Huerta is a civil rights icon and labor activist who co-founded the UFW alongside César Chávez. For her remarkable leadership, Dolores Huerta has been awarded 15 honorary doctorates; including from universities such as Yale and USC; the Order of the Aztec Eagle, the highest decoration a foreign national can receive from the Mexican government; and, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, given to her by President Obama in 2012. During his first presidential campaign, President Barack Obama used the English translation of the United Farm Workers’ (UFW) slogan “Si, Se Puede!” or “Yes, We can!” to promote his candidacy. After winning election, President Obama helped pave the way for the establishment of César Chávez Day of Service and Learning as a federal commemorative holiday in 2014. Seizing on this national cultural refrain, which seems more resonant now than ever, this year’s theme will be: “‘Sí Se Pudo, Sí Se Puede y Sí Se Podrá!’: An Intergenerational Pláctica with Dolores Huerta”.

This is a hybrid event which will be live-streamed and take place in the Rackham Auditorium. Free and open to the public.