SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Dolores Huerta, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, will
highlight the 21st annual Multicultural Youth Leadership Conference, Sept. 25-26 at the Western Nebraska
Community College Scottsbluff Campus.
Huerta will give two presentations, one at the Community Event that is free and open
to the public, Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Judy Chaloupka Theater. She will
also present at the high school conference, Thursday at the John N. Harms Center,
which is reserved for high school students.
Huerta is an influential professional speaker and activist that worked alongside Cesar
Chavez in the Chicano Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Huerta also played a key role in improving working conditions for farm workers across
the country. She has accrued numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the
highest honor a civilian can receive, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Human Rights.
"This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity for someone of her [Dolores'] historical
significance to be in our community and speaking to our youth and residents," Maricia
Guzman, WNCC multicultural & inclusion director said. "People should attend because
Ms. Huerta is truly an inspiration. Through her life's work she has shown that the
most powerful tools you have is your voice and your passion. I believe that Ms. Huerta
will inspire our community to use their voice, life experiences, and passion to make
a positive change in our community and the world."
In addition, a middle school conference, featuring Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas
(7th District), is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25. This is also reserved for local middle
school students.
Sen. Vargas was elected to the Nebraska Legislature in 2016. As a member of the Appropriations
Committee, he has led efforts to prioritize state funding to benefit vulnerable areas
in Nebraska communities, including children and families from low-income backgrounds.
"Words can't express how excited I am that Ms. Huerta and Mr. Vargas are coming,"
Guzman said. "I know Ms. Huerta is going to have a major impact on everyone that has
the chance to see her speak. Sen. Vargas has been a passionate legislator and educator, and a strong advocate for
underrepresented communities in the state of Nebraska. We are very honored to have
him as well."
For more information about the Community Event, or to RSVP, contact Maricia Guzman
via email at guzmanm@wncc.edu or by phone at 308-635-6348.