César Chávez
César Chávez was a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist who fought for the rights of farm workers.
César Estrada Chávez
Civil Rights Figure
March 31, 1927
Aries
April 23, 1993
66
Yuma, Arizona
Cesar Chavez, a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist, devoted his life to advocating for the rights of farm workers in the United States. He is best known for co-founding the United Farm Workers (UFW) and leading the 1965 Delano grape strike, which ultimately led to improved wages and working conditions for these laborers. In addition to this, Chavez organized numerous other strikes and boycotts throughout his career. In recognition of his efforts, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and his birthday has been declared a state holiday in California.