OAKLAND, CA – The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) joins the nation in mourning Dolores Huerta, the labor leader and civil rights icon who died today at age 96. Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union and won better wages and working conditions for farmworkers. Through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, she spent decades championing social and economic justice and grassroots organizing.

In 2017, she joined the Californians for Economic Justice coalition to take on a billion-dollar industry of predatory lenders. These lenders faced no limits on their interest rates, often charging well over 100% APR on loans ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. The loans were devastating California families, especially Latinos, African Americans and veterans. After a three-year campaign, the coalition won passage of AB 539, which capped interest rates on these loans.

In 2026, she joined the coalition again to limit interest rates on payday loans, which trap Californians in extended cycles of debt costing an average of 362% on loans up to $255.

“Dolores never stopped organizing for social justice. When we took on the predatory lenders, she stood with us. She didn’t come as a figurehead; she came as a fighter. She knew exactly who was being hurt and she refused to look away. Californians are better protected today because of her,” said Graciela Aponte-Diaz, vice-president of community engagement at CRL.

"It was an honor to fight alongside Dolores against lenders that are profiteering from Californians struggling to afford daily life. She called on state leaders and the public at large to support payday lending reform to help keep hard earned wages in workers' pockets, where it can be used to pay for housing and health care," said Andrea Luquetta, senior policy counsel at CRL and organizer of the California payday reform effort.

Huerta was arrested more than 20 times. She defied powerful economic interests, legislators and threats on her life, and she never stopped organizing. Huerta gave a movement its rallying cry, “¡Sí, se puede!”, and spent her life proving it true.

Our work to protect families’ financial security stands on her shoulders. CRL honors her by continuing the fight.

The organization extends its deepest condolences to Dolores Huerta’s family, the Dolores Huerta Foundation and everyone whose life she touched.

###

Press Contact: Vincenza Previte vincenza.previte@responsiblelending.org