When you are organizing a group of people, the first thing that we do is we talk about the history of what other people have been able to accomplish - people that look like them, workers like them, ordinary people, working people - and we give them the list: these are people like yourself; this is what they were able to do in their community.

The quote “When you are organizing a group of people, the first thing that we do is we talk about the history of what other people have been able to accomplish - people that look like them, workers like them, ordinary people, working people - and we give them the list: these are people like yourself; this is what they were able to do in their community.” comes from Dolores Huerta, the labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with César Chávez. In this reflection, Huerta emphasizes the power of history and representation when it comes to organizing communities. She believes that by showing ordinary people what others like them have achieved, they gain the confidence to believe in their own potential.

The meaning of the quote lies in the use of collective history as a motivational tool. Huerta explains that when people see examples of workers, immigrants, or community members like themselves achieving victories, they realize that change is possible. This approach counters feelings of powerlessness by grounding hope in real-world examples rather than abstract ideas. In essence, representation and shared struggle become the foundation for building solidarity.

The origin of this philosophy is rooted in Huerta’s decades of organizing farmworkers and fighting for labor rights. Many of the communities she worked with felt marginalized and excluded from mainstream narratives of success. By highlighting past struggles of working people who had won better wages, fair treatment, and community improvements, Huerta created a sense of continuity and belonging. This method reminded people that they were not isolated, but part of a larger movement.

Ultimately, Huerta’s words reflect a central truth of grassroots organizing: empowerment often begins with storytelling. By connecting people to a history of struggle and triumph, she helps them see themselves not just as passive individuals but as agents of change within their own communities. This process transforms ordinary people into leaders, strengthening movements from the ground up.