Cesar Chavez

On March 31, 1927 a great American labor leader and civil rights activist was born, his name was Cesar Chavez. Cesar Chavez was a Mexican-American migrant farmer who dedicated his life to improve work for migrant farmers. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later to be known as the United Farm Workers union, U.F.W) with his partner Dolores Huerta.He wanted to improve conditions like, wretched migrant camps, corrupt labor contractors, meager wages for backbreaking work, and bitter racism for migrant farmers. He wanted to make things fair for Mexican-Americans, so with his perseverance to make a change in Mexican-American lives he set out to do that.

Early Life: Cesar Chavez may be known as a great "man" but he still was a kid. Cesar Chavez was born to Juana Estrada and Librado Chavez. He had 6 siblings. Cesar's parents were not always migrants. During the Great Depression his parents lost their home and the store they owned so because of that they moved to California to become migrant farmers. In the seventh grade Cesar dropped out of school to become a full-time migrant farmer so his mom didn't have to do it alone. In 1946 Cesar served in the U.S Navy, where he hoped the skills would help him be a better farmer - they didn't.

The UFW flag, Huelga meaning Strike

Workers Rights: In 1962 Cesar co-founded an Organization that would have a huge impact on people. In 1952 Chavez stopped being a migrant farmer and joined the C.S.O (Community Service Organization). Later in 1962 Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (N.F.W.A), which later changed to the United Farm Workers (U.F.W). On September 8, 1965 the Filipino American Farm initiated the Delano Grape strike to protest for higher wages. Chavez agree and helped in the strike, the strike lasted for 5 years. On March 1966 U.S. Senate Committee meet with the U.F.W and expressed their support to them. Cesar and his organization also lead the Salad Bowl strike which was the biggest strike in U.S history. The protest was for grape and lettuce farm workers who wanted to achieve higher wages. In the end they won. In 1988 he fasted for thirty-six days for the use of pesticides because it could cause cancer for consumers. Although his fast again gained national attention, the boycott did not take hold as earlier ones had.

Cesar Chavez and the U.F.W

Personal life and Death: Besides being an American labor leader and civil rights activist, Cesar Chavez had his own life to live. When Chavez returned home from his service in the military in 1948, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen Fabela. The couple moved to San Jose, California, where they had eight children.Chavez was a vegan, both because he believed in animal rights and also for his health. Chavez died on April 23, 1993 yet his legacy was honored. In 2003, the United States Postal Service honored Chavez with a postage stamp, and The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) nominated him three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Chavez was a great man and did many things with his life that helped a lot of people. He received full military honors from the US Navy at his graveside on April 23, 2015. Also for all of Cesar's hard work who received Cesar Chavez It is intended to promote community service in honor of Chavez's life and work. The day is only celebrated on March 31, it is a state holiday in California, Colorado, and Texas.

yes we can

My Hero: On March 31,1927 a man who would changed the lives of million Mexican-Americans was born, his name was Cesar Chavez. Chavez was my hero because he wasn't afraid to fight for what's right. Even one win was good enough for him, for example the Filipino grape strike lasted five years yet he never gave up because of his tireless perseverance. He helped the Filipino farm workers get what they worked for and deserved. Cesar Chavez was not just a hero he was a freedom hero he changed the lives of many, he chose to dedicate his life to the other mistreated migrant farm workers in similar or worse conditions. The world needed to be changed for the better and Cesar was the man for the job.