An excerpt from the Show What You Know on the 7th grade WASL student workbook by Kevin D. Arnold, Sheila LaSalle, and Kimberly P. Mattson
Mexican descendent, Cesar Estrada Chavez, was born March 31, 1927, near Yuma, Arizona. In the 1930s, the Chavez family moved to California, becoming part of a migrant community traveling from farm to farm, harvesting crops. Farm workers had poor living conditions- long days and small pay. The Chavez family often slept in their car.
After eighth grade, Cesar quit school to work full-time in vineyards. He joined the Navy in 1944, fighting for two years in World War II. In 1946, he returned to California to work in the fields. Seeing a need for change, he joined an unsuccessful strike protesting low wages and poor working conditions. By 1952, Cesar was speaking throughout California, supporting farm workers’ rights and urging Mexican- Americans to vote.
Cesar led a five-year strike of California grape-pickers in 1965, demanding higher wages and encouraging Americans to boycott grapes. The strike increased national awareness as Chavez rallied millions to support the farm workers’ cause.
Cesar continued to fight for farm workers’ rights and also fought against toxic pesticides used on produce. He advocated nonviolent protesting and became well respected throughout America. Even after his death, his legacy of establishing farm workers’ rights continues today.
