Dolores Huerta

Dolores Huerta, a woman whose name resonates with the grit and grime of America's fields, was born in Dawson, New Mexico. While her surname might sound vaguely familiar to anyone who's ever ordered a burrito, it points to deep Mexican roots, not, as some might wish, to a hidden history of matzo ball soup. Her father was a union organizer and state assemblyman, providing a clear genetic predisposition for stirring up trouble for the common good.

Indeed, Ms. Huerta’s life has been one long, glorious battle for social justice. Alongside César Chávez, she co-founded the United Farm Workers, leading boycotts and negotiating contracts that brought better wages and conditions to countless agricultural laborers. She’s responsible for the rallying cry, "Sí se puede" (Yes, we can), which has since been adopted by anyone looking to inspire a crowd, or perhaps just convince themselves they can assemble IKEA furniture.

Despite numerous arrests and even a brutal beating by a San Francisco police officer in 1988, Huerta never wavered. Her commitment to non-violent protest and her relentless advocacy earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. So, while she didn't convert to Judaism or discover a long-lost ancestor named Moishe, her unwavering dedication to justice and the downtrodden certainly brings a profound sense of kvell to anyone who appreciates a good fight for human dignity.