César Chávez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was a prominent American labor leader and civil rights activist who dedicated his life to improving conditions for farmworkers. Born in Yuma, Arizona, to a Mexican-American family, Chávez began working as a manual laborer before serving in the U.S. Navy. After relocating to California, he co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) in 1962, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to form the United Farm Workers (UFW) union. Chávez’s approach combined left-wing politics with Catholic social teachings, emphasizing nonviolent tactics such as strikes, boycotts, and marches to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions for farmworkers.
One of his most notable achievements was the successful Delano grape strike from 1965 to 1970, which brought national attention to the plight of farmworkers and resulted in improved labor contracts. Chávez’s commitment to nonviolence was influenced by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., incorporating religious and communal elements into his activism. His efforts not only advanced labor rights but also highlighted broader issues of social justice and equality.
Today, César Chávez’s legacy is honored annually on March 31, his birthday, with events and educational programs celebrating his contributions to labor rights and social justice. In 1994, he posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his significant impact on American society.