1. Cesar Chavez

2. The Early Years...
Before Cesar was born, his family immigrated from Mexico. He was born on March 31, 1927 in Arizona. His parents taught him the importance of hard work and diligence.

3. The Early Years...
His family lost their farm in the 1930’s (because of the depression). They moved to southern California where the entire family became migrant workers.
They moved from one farm to the next picking whichever crop was in season. Sometimes having to sleep in their car.

4. The Early Years...
The pay was low, living conditions were bad, the workers were treated poorly, and they had no rights. If they didn’t like something the boss did, they were fired.
Cesar did not think this was fair. He wanted workers to be paid and treated equally.

5. Adult Life…
Cesar joined the Navy at the age of 17 and served two years. When he returned he married Helen Fabela and they moved to a one room shack in Delano, CA. They began teaching other Hispanics to read and write. Cesar believed that, “the end of all education should surely be service to others.”

6. Adult Life…
In 1952, Chavez started a program called the Community Service Organization, (CSO), to fight for the rights and justice for the migrant workers.

7. Cesar Chavez – The Activist
Cesar began to realize the potential he had to create change in the world. He became an Activist, or someone who fights for laws to be changed.
He became an organizer and leader to help Mexican Americans become citizens.

8. Cesar Chavez – The Activist
Cesar started the FWA, (Farm Workers Association), a labor union. A union is where people work together to make employers give workers better pay and working conditions.

9. Cesar Chavez – The Activist
FWA joined another union and created the United Farm Workers. They went on strike against the grape farmers who were not treating their workers right. All of the grapes pickers didn’t pick any grapes. Others began to boycott and refused to even buy grapes.

10. Cesar Chavez – The Activist
Chaves led a 340 mile march to gain attention for his cause. Like Martin Luther King, Jr. Chavez believed in non-violent ways to earn the respect of others and fight for equal rights.
Here is a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King marching for
equal rights for African Americans in 1963.

11. His Legacy
He continued all of these approaches , (more marches and boycotts), until migrant workers finally received better pay and equal rights.

12. His Legacy
Even though Cesar Chavez died of natural causes at the age of 66, he still received Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.
Some famous words still are remembered today,
“Si, se puede." (meaning "Yes, it can be done.")
To this day, the UFW and Chavez's children and grandchildren continue his fight for social justice.
Cesar’s son, Paul, continues the fight for
Equal rights for everyone.

13. Cesar Chavez’s photo is on a United States stamp.
His Legacy
Cesar Chavez’s photo is on a United States stamp.