Cesar Chavez (1927 – 1993) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist. He co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW), advocating for farm laborers' rights through nonviolent protests, strikes, and boycotts. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, he emphasized peaceful resistance and became a symbol of the fight for fair wages and humane working conditions.
Born in Yuma, Arizona, to a Mexican-American family, he worked as a farm laborer from a young age. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he became active in the Community Service Organization (CSO), helping Mexican-American workers register to vote. In 1962, he left the CSO to form the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), creating the UFW. His leadership in the Delano grape strike (1965 – 1970) led to historic labor agreements.
During the 1970s, he expanded the UFW but faced internal struggles. His later years saw a focus on anti-pesticide campaigns, while union influence declined. Despite controversies, his legacy remains strong. In 1994, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and his birthday is recognized as a commemorative holiday in several U.S. states.