Dolores Huerta Honored at John Anson Ford Awards Ceremony

(L-R) Lindsey Horvath, Juanita Chavez, Marlina Chavez, and Hilda Solis. Juanita and Marlina accepted an award for their mother, Dolores Huerta (Photo – Hilda Solis office)

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis attended the John Anson Ford (JAF) Human Relations Awards hosted by the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission.

By News Desk

The award show is named after former Los Angeles County Supervisor John Anson Ford who represented the County’s Third Supervisorial District from 1934 to 1958. He worked in advertising and public relations before entering politics and died in 1983 at 100 years old. For more than 50 years, the JAF Awards have identified and honored human relations champions in Los Angeles County as a lasting legacy to John Anson Ford.

Legendary civil rights activist Dolores Huerta was among seven honorees. Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers labor union alongside César Chávez, and established the Dolores Huerta Foundation, graciously received the Yvonne B. Burke Courage Award for 2023. The prestigious award is given to an individual for their bold, dauntless action to advance human relations.

Supervisor Solis in recognizing her dear friend said:

I could not think of anyone more deserving of our Commission on Human Relations’ Courage Award. Dolores is an inspiration that transcends generation after generation. She has dedicated her life to advancing the rights of farmworkers, women, and other marginalized communities. Never did I imagine as a young girl growing up in the San Gabriel Valley that I would get to meet her, let alone partner with her in uplifting our most vulnerable. So, today we come full circle.”

Five other awardees were recognized for their outstanding human relations projects and programs in 2023— one for each of the five County Supervisorial Districts.

In the First District, represented by Supervisor Solis, the Stop Hate Survey of Asian Youth Center was recognized for its multicultural youth phone-banking team, which helped survey Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults experiencing hate in the San Gabriel Valley.

In the Second District, represented by Supervisor Holly Mitchell, the Testif-i Program of A New Way of Life was recognized. In the Third District, represented by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, the GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society was recognized. In the Fourth District, represented by Supervisor Janice Hahn, Sanemos Juntos Project of ORALE was recognized. In the Fifth District, represented by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, H.E. Art was recognized.

The award ceremony included a reception attended by civil leaders and community partners.