On March 6, 2025, Glide Memorial Church became a gathering place for activism, history, and movement building, welcoming civil rights icons Dolores Huerta and Olga Talamante. These two powerhouse leaders have spent decades fighting for labor rights, immigrant justice, and economic equity, uplifting farmworkers, women, and marginalized communities. Their stories reminded us that justice is never handed over. It is built through community, persistence, and action.

Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers (UFW), has dedicated her life to securing fair wages, safer working conditions, and labor rights for farmworkers. Her famous rallying cry, “Sí, se puede” (Yes, we can), continues to inspire grassroots organizing and advocacy.

Olga Talamante’s activism began as a young Chicana leader in the U.S. Still, her fight for human rights took a sharp turn when she was imprisoned in Argentina for speaking out against the dictatorship. After her release, she fiercely advocated for immigrant rights, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ empowerment. As the longtime director of the Chicana Latina Foundation, she has helped young women access higher education and leadership opportunities.

Both leaders embody community-based advocacy and reflect GLIDE’s radical inclusivity and commitment to equity.

The event began with Minister Marvin K. White, who declared, “Justice lives in this house.” His words set the tone for a night dedicated to systems change and collective action.

Naeemah Charles, Director of GLIDE’s Center for Social Justice (CSJ), connected the work of Huerta and Talamante to the struggles GLIDE continues to address. From labor rights and immigrant justice to economic equity, their stories highlighted the same issues GLIDE fights for daily.

Erick Arguello, CSJ’s Advocacy Manager, delivered a powerful land acknowledgment, honoring the Indigenous communities whose land we stand on. A longtime advocate for Latino representation and policy change, Arguello played a key role in organizing this event, ensuring the community heard directly from these activism leaders.

When Dolores Huerta and Olga Talamante took the stage, they spoke with wisdom from decades of grassroots organizing. Huerta reminded us that every movement begins with people willing to organize, while Talamante emphasized solidarity across struggles, from labor rights to LGBTQ+ justice. Their words were not just a history lesson. They were a call to action.

At GLIDE, we believe real change happens when people come together. Too many families struggle to meet their children’s basic needs, like food, education, and safe spaces. But when we act as a community, we create real solutions.

That is what the Social Justice Academy (SJA) is all about. It equips people with the tools to advocate for policies that break cycles of poverty. Through hands-on learning, storytelling, and grassroots organizing, fellows use their experiences to push for real change. If you believe every family deserves the chance to thrive, we would love to have you with us. Sign up today.

Dolores Huerta’s work does not end on the stage. It continues daily through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, which empowers communities through organizing, education, and civic engagement. If her words inspired you, take action. Support organizations that uplift women, immigrants, and children. Use your voice and stand in solidarity with those fighting for justice and economic equity.

The night ended with a real sense of urgency. Change happens when people come together, organize, and speak up. This was not just about looking back. It was about taking action. The fight for justice is not over, and when we stand together, we can build a future where women, children, and families survive and thrive.