Cal State LA Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of Chicano Studies Program

Legendary Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta Honored At Inaugural Lecture

California State University Los Angeles (Cal State LA) established the first Chicano studies program in the nation 50 years ago.

Back then, around four percent of students were Mexican American, and the program only had four courses. Valuing the history, culture and contributions of Mexican Americans, the program now offers over 150 courses.

On September 6, the university commemorated the milestone with an inaugural lecture by legendary civil rights leader Dolores Huerta. Huerta was a pivotal leader when the Chicano movement started in LA in the 1960s.

The City of Los Angeles used the platform to announce a plan to name an intersection in Boyle Heights “Dolores Huerta Square.” Huerta stated the importance the Chicano studies program played in the movement. The largest urban Mexican American community the united surrounds the Cal State LA campus making it key to educating generations about Mexican Americans.

Read more at http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/publicat/cal-state-la-commemorates-50-years-chicano-studies-tribute-civil-rights-pioneer

Photo: Civil rights pioneer Dolores Huerta speaks to a packed Golden Eagle ballroom as part of the inaugural lecture kicking off a yearlong commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Chicano studies at Cal State LA.

(Credit: J. Emilio Flores and Robert Huskey/Cal State LA)

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