Biography
Mexican-American labor leader of the United Farm Workers of America, an
advocate of Gandhi's philosophy, peace-loving and charismatic. He was the
child of migrant workers who achieved national prominence in 1965 when his
UFW joined a Filipino farm-work strike protesting abusive treatment.
His boycott on grape growers lasted five years and ended only when
growers agreed to a union contract, the first big labor victory for
migrant workers in the U.S.
One of five children of Depression-era migrant farm workers, Chavez saw
his family exploited by growers. He never graduated from high school and
said he must have attended about 65 elementary schools as his family moved
from field to field for work. He attributes his humanity to his mother who
sent Chavez and his siblings to invite hobos to share their food. Around
1939 Chavez remembered a pivotal event when his father and uncle became
members of a union and picketed all night with picket signs. The attempt
failed but left a lasting impression. Chavez served in the Navy during WW
II in 1944 and 1945.
After the war Chavez pursued his organizing activities, raising the
social consciousness of the Chicano community, achieving notoriety with
all his work to improve the working atmosphere of the farm laborer. He met
Fred Ross in 1952 in San Jose, a community organizer trying to set up
self-help groups in minority areas, who described Chavez as the best
organizer he ever met.
After 10 years he led a successful voter registration drive in San
Jose. In 1962 he established the National Farm Workers Association, which
alter became the UFW, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The UFW reached its
peak in the late 1970s using marches, boycotts, strikes and civil
disobedience by followers to bring California's agricultural valleys to
the bargaining table. He went on weeks-long fasts to drive home his cause.
He was buoyed during many of his strikes and fasts by visits from Attorney
General Robert and Ethel Kennedy, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Coretta King.
He met his wife, Helen, after returning to the fields of Kern County,
CA following the war. He lived in Keene, Southern California with Helen
and their six kids.
Chavez died of natural causes during the night of 4/23/1993, San Luiz,
AZ where he was fighting an appeal, having broken a three-day fast to have
a vegetarian dinner.
On 3/31/2000, California Governor Gray Davis signed a bill designating
Chavez's birthday as a state holiday.
Top |
