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Oct. 1, 2003 |
Gov. Gray Davis' appointment of a long-time activist to the UC Board of Regents was a surprise.
Civil rights leader and United Farm Workers Union co-founder Dolores Huerta received the position on Sept. 9.
Davis is "doing the right thing for the wrong reasons," social studies teacher Barbara Blinick said. "I'm not sure that he would be naming her if he weren't being recalled."
Although critics have argued that a lack of a formal college education limits Huerta's capacity to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, Huerta's activism, unique cultural perspective and charisma speak more about her potential to be UC regent than her missing college diploma.
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Gov. Gray Davis appointed former activist Dolores Huerta as the new UC regent, despite Huerta's lack of formal education.Through standing up for immigrants, laborers, and the poor, Huerta has proved that she is determined to shape UC policy to help the common people."
She represents a lot of people in California, and she has shown her leadership potential already," social studies teacher Monty Worth said. "It's better to have a leader of an under-represented public and those who can't vote. If some of those people want to go to a university, she can try to make that easier for them."
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Huerta helped to found the Stockton chapter of the Community Service Organization in 1995, where she battled segregation, police brutality, pushed for better public services and strived to enact new legislation. With Cesar Chavez, she founded the United Farm Workers Union and fought for higher wages and health benefits for farm workers. She recognizes what has to be changed to improve workers' conditions and is dedicated to accomplish any goal she sets.
From experiences like these, she has grown into an enthusiastic leader and a clever negotiator, skills that prove she can be an outstanding UC regent.
Currently, Huerta is fighting against the adoption of Proposition 54, which would prohibit the state from collecting racial and ethnic data.
Because she listens to what the people of California want and helps them achieve their goals, she will certainly do the same for UC students and applicants alike.
Although Davis may have chosen Huerta to win Latino votes to prevent his Oct. 7 recall, she has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities that make her fit for the job. In the past, Huerta set very high standards for other activists, and she will do the same now for other members of the UC Board of Regents. |
