Arlington community leaders gathered to honor Dolores Huerta

Arlington – Last weekend, the town of Arlington came together to unveil the latest honorary street sign toppers, a tribute nestled in the bustling International Corridor of Arlington, Dallas Metro News reported.

These freshly installed sign toppers, situated at the intersections of Pioneer Parkway with Sherry Street, Carter Drive, and Watson Road in East Arlington, pay homage to Dolores Huerta. Huerta, an influential figure in American civil rights history and labor movements, is a recipient of the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The International Corridor of Arlington, which runs along Pioneer Parkway from Center Street up to State Highway 360, has been a focal point for honorary recognitions at the behest of the city's diverse communities. It's worth noting that in 2019, Arlington’s Vietnamese and Muslim communities were instrumental in installing General Tran Hung Dao's honorary sign toppers at the crossroads of Pioneer Parkway, New York Avenue, and Browning Street. This was closely followed by Syed Ahsani's recognition at the junction of Center Street and Collins Street in 2021.

In a remarkable display of solidarity, several organizations including the League of United Latin American Citizens, the César Chávez Committee of Tarrant County, the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, and the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council, backed the installation of the Dolores Huerta honorary street sign toppers. This initiative was propelled by the demands of Arlington’s Latino community.

Huerta, along with Cesar Chavez, founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1965, which later evolved into the United Farm Workers of America. Huerta relentlessly advocated for the rights of farm workers across the country, pushing for improved working conditions and compensation. As an elementary school teacher, she witnessed firsthand the struggles of farm workers' children who often attended school hungry and without proper footwear. Driven by this plight, Huerta coined the slogan “Si Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”) as a rallying cry to encourage farm workers to strive for a better life. In 2002, she established her own foundation to foster leadership within marginalized communities, underlining the importance of civic involvement.

These honorary street sign toppers are intended to commemorate the celebrated individuals without altering the official street names. Hence, these installations won't affect addressing, navigation, mail, or delivery services in any way.

For further insight into Arlington’s Honorary Street Sign Toppers and Street Names, visit the official link.