César Estrada Chávez
March 31, 1927 ~ April 23, 1993
César E. Chávez was born near Yuma, Arizona, and was the second oldest of six children. The family moved from farm to farm, working in the fields picking fruit. César attended almost 30 schools as his family moved from one migrant camp to another.
Although César dropped out of school in the eighth grade, he always valued education as a way out of the fields. In 1944, Chávez joined the Navy and served in World War II. When Chávez returned to California, he married Helen Fabela in 1948 and again started working in the fields. This time, however, Chávez started fighting for unfair working conditions and low wages.
Along with Dolores Huerta, Chávez started to organize farm workers throughout California, fighting for better working conditions, against low wages, for just treatment of workers.
Against great odds, César and Dolores would lead strikes, boycotts and marches to bring attention to the plight of the farm worker. On several occasions, César fasted to bring about social change, a non-violent form of peaceful protest. During the fasts, Chávez and the UFW would gain support from many people around the world.
Chávez died in San Luis, Arizona, only miles away from his birth place. He died peacefully in his sleep.
