We pause today to recognize two extraordinary women who played an impactful role in my life: Michelle Morales and Mother Dolores Huerta.
Both were trailblazers. Both gave themselves to movements greater than themselves. And both, in very different ways, made me feel seen.
Michelle Morales passed away after years of fighting the awful disease of cancer. Through it all, she was the epitome of grace.
Michelle, Executive Director of Woods Fund Chicago, supported Community Renewal Society (CRS) and advocated for us during times when many organizations did not fully value the gifts and leadership of Black women.
Michelle saw us.
She made sure CRS was supported not only through funding, but through moral and spiritual encouragement over the years. We began our leadership tenures together eight years ago, and I came to consider her my friend, mentor, and co-laborer for the greater good in the world.
Michelle and my son even shared the same birthday, a small connection that means even more to me now.
I love you dearly, Michelle, and I miss you already.
On behalf of the entire CRS team, rest in perfect peace with our Lord. You fought a good fight—not only against cancer, but for causes and communities across this city and state.
You are our hero.
You are the wind beneath our wings.
Thank you, Michelle, with all of my heart.
I am also holding close the life and legacy of Mother Dolores Clara Fernández Huerta, an iconic trailblazer who refused to be a hidden figure. I have long been inspired by her fire, grit, wisdom, and love for the movement.
After working for several years with the Community Service Organization, Mother Dolores co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with fellow activists César Chávez and Gilbert Padilla. That organization later joined with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to become the United Farm Workers.
During the 1965 Delano grape strike, she worked alongside Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and other organizers, helping lead boycott efforts and negotiations with grape growers. She is also forever connected to the movement cry:
“Sí, se puede.” — “Yes, we can.”
Words that traveled far beyond the farmworker movement and into our broader national consciousness.
Recently, I had the privilege of helping to eulogize a dear friend alongside Mother Dolores.
I felt honored simply to share the pulpit with her.
Afterward, we embraced, and she offered words of encouragement for the work ahead.
I felt seen. I felt motivated. And I felt so, so humbled.
Here I was, standing before a woman nearing a century of life who was still out here making her mark, still encouraging others, and still pouring into the movement.
I met Mother Dolores only once.
But her work, her presence, and her impact are indelible.
I will carry her with me in this work.
Michelle walked alongside me for eight years. Mother Dolores and I shared only one encounter. Yet both women showed me the extraordinary power of seeing another person, affirming their leadership, and encouraging them to keep going.
Their lives remind me that this work has always been carried from one generation to another, one relationship to another, one act of courage to another.
Michelle and Mother Dolores are enduring lights.
And I am grateful that, for however long God allowed our paths to cross, their light reached me.
With love and profound gratitude,
Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton
Executive Director