César Chávez

César Estrada Chávez (March 31, 1927 _ April 23, 1993) founded the National Farm Workers Association that later became the United Farm Workers. He was an American labor rights hero for supporting labor rights for Mexican migrant farm workers, successfully leading a consumer boycott against grape producers. Chávez was also a strong proponent of nonviolence.

In 1965, Chávez and the NFWA led a strike of California grape-pickers in demand of higher wages, along with a national boycott of California table grapes, which, five years later resulted in the first major victory for US migrant workers.

He continued to struggle against large growers, including going on three hunger strikes over wages and conditions. At the time of his death he was leading another grape boycott to protest the use of harmful pesticides.

Chávez was born near Yuma, Arizona and attended over 65 schools, never graduating. He was trained in organizing by Fred Ross, himself a student of Saul Alinsky.

Chávez is celebrated in California where the state legislature, in 2000, approved a bill to create a paid state holiday in his honor. The holiday is celebrated on March 31st, Chávez's birthday. The holiday is the first in the history of the United States for a Mexican American and a labor leader. Many cities have also paid respect by renaming streets for him. These cities include San Francisco, Los Angeles, California, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Austin, Texas Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Salt Lake City. The California cities of Sacramento, Berkeley, and San Jose have also renamed parks in his memory. The United States Postal Service honored him with a stamp in 2004.