Ailsa Chang

For decades, the name Cesar Chavez has stood for activism and leadership.

But perceptions of who Cesar Chavez was changed dramatically this week when a New York Times investigation found that the widely lionized civil rights leader had sexually abused girls and women.

The Times investigation, based on interviews with several women as well as Chavez's close allies and relatives, got a swift reaction.

Here in California, some events that were meant to celebrate Cesar Chavez Day have been canceled.

That's a state holiday here, commemorating Chavez's birthday.

And cities across the state are considering renaming schools and streets that bear his name.

Here's California Governor Gavin Newsom.

So much of the story about that movement centers on a key figure, Dolores Huerta.

Huerta popularized that chant as well as co-founded alongside Chavez what would become the United Farm Workers of America.

That's a labor union for farm workers.

Huerta told the New York Times that she too was abused by Chavez when their organizing efforts were just beginning.

Consider this.

Dolores Huerta built a lasting movement with Cesar Chavez.

And after waiting decades, she has finally decided to share the story of how Chavez abused her.

From NPR, I'm Elsa Chang.

Dolores Huerta told The New York Times that she felt pressured to have sex with Cesar Chavez while on a work trip in 1960.

Then, six years later, after they had founded the Union for Farm Workers, she says Chavez raped her.

Both of these encounters resulted in pregnancies that Huerta felt forced to conceal.

She gave the children to other people to raise.

Shortly after that Times story came out, Huerta spoke to journalist Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA.