| BARRIOZONA |
| Bilingual Community Expression Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Chavez on the Internet |
The Cesar E. Chavez Foundation
The mission of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation is to
maximize human potential to improve communities
by preserving, promoting and applying the legacy and
universal values of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez.
National Chavez Center
Established in 2004 by the Cesar E. Chavez
Foundation, the National Chavez Center at Nuestra
Señora Reina de La Paz is the official, living memorial
dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Cesar
Chavez.
The César E. Chávez Leadership Institute
The Institute was envisioned by several ASU and
community leaders, under the direction of Mr. Frank
Hidalgo to provide high school students with
opportunities to develop their leadership skills and
make a commitment to assist the Latino community.
César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education
The mission of the Cal Poly Pomona César E. Chávez
Center for Higher Education is to increase the
outreach, recruitment, graduation, and cultural pride
of Chicanos/Latinos at the California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona. In addition, the César E. Chávez
Center for Higher Education exists to support all
students at Cal Poly Pomona in their efforts to
become multicultural competent.
United Farm Workers
Founded in 1962 by Cesar Chavez, the United Farm
Workers of America is the nation's first successful and
largest farm workers union currently active in 10
states. The UFW continues to organize and represent
farm workers, including 27,000 farm workers who
labor under union contracts at least one day out of
the year.
The César E. Chávez Institute
The Institute works to create a learning environment
for practictioners, students, scholars, and advocates.
CCI strives to bridge academic research and the
practice in the areas of health and education through
multiple approaches – including participatory action
research. CCI’s goal is to make its studies and
research findings accessible and useful to policy
makers, service providers, educators, and community
advocates.
An American Hero
The Biography of César E. Chávez
The mission of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation is to
maximize human potential to improve communities
by preserving, promoting and applying the legacy and
universal values of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez.
National Chavez Center
Established in 2004 by the Cesar E. Chavez
Foundation, the National Chavez Center at Nuestra
Señora Reina de La Paz is the official, living memorial
dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Cesar
Chavez.
The César E. Chávez Leadership Institute
The Institute was envisioned by several ASU and
community leaders, under the direction of Mr. Frank
Hidalgo to provide high school students with
opportunities to develop their leadership skills and
make a commitment to assist the Latino community.
César E. Chávez Center for Higher Education
The mission of the Cal Poly Pomona César E. Chávez
Center for Higher Education is to increase the
outreach, recruitment, graduation, and cultural pride
of Chicanos/Latinos at the California State Polytechnic
University, Pomona. In addition, the César E. Chávez
Center for Higher Education exists to support all
students at Cal Poly Pomona in their efforts to
become multicultural competent.
United Farm Workers
Founded in 1962 by Cesar Chavez, the United Farm
Workers of America is the nation's first successful and
largest farm workers union currently active in 10
states. The UFW continues to organize and represent
farm workers, including 27,000 farm workers who
labor under union contracts at least one day out of
the year.
The César E. Chávez Institute
The Institute works to create a learning environment
for practictioners, students, scholars, and advocates.
CCI strives to bridge academic research and the
practice in the areas of health and education through
multiple approaches – including participatory action
research. CCI’s goal is to make its studies and
research findings accessible and useful to policy
makers, service providers, educators, and community
advocates.
An American Hero
The Biography of César E. Chávez
Cesar E. Chavez Plaza - Downtown Phoenix
| Photo: Eduardo Barraza/BARRIOZONA |
| Cesar E. Chavez |
| three essential principles |
Lessons on Leadership and Service
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues |
| Cesar E. Chavez, a union organizer and social activist, was born on March 31, 1927 near Yuma, Arizona. He was a member of a migrant laborers family who in his quest for better work conditions founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), and later the United Farm Workers (UFW). He was successful in leading a five-year nonviolent boycott against California grape growers to protest poor working conditions, and to stop the use of pesticides harmful to farm workers. The boycott drew national attention and eventually helped achieved new rights for farm workers. He died of natural causes on April 23, 1993. In 1994, President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded Chavez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. |
| Cesar Chavez – Fighting for Farmworkers. In graphic novel format, recounts the life story of labor organizer and union leader Cesar Chavez. To order this book, call the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues at 480 - 983-1445 or e-mail at: books@hisi.org Visit HISI's Cultural Literature page |
| Cesar Chavez - Fighting for Farmworkers |
| Reading Level: Grades 3-4 Interest Level: Grades 3-9 Softcover, 32pp $7.95 + s/h |
R O O T S
If something validated Cesar Chavez’ advocacy for farm
workers more than anything else, was the very fact his
struggle to achieve fairer and more humane conditions was
deeply rooted in him. His right to fight for the people was
his own firsthand experience and understanding of the
sentiment of the workers, because that sentiment was
embedded in him. Cesar Chavez became a natural leader
because he shared the same experiences as those of the
workers he tenaciously fought for. He had the background
and the qualifications.
H U M I L I T Y
In Cesar Chavez this attribute was truly genuine. His
humility was far from being pretended or even
implemented in his work. It flowed naturally through him
because he was a humble human being willing to serve
others, versus pretending to be a self-appointed leader
who displayed humility at convenience. While some so-
called leaders wear humility as a garment for certain
occasions and to appear humble, Cesar Chavez’ humility
was a virtue sowed in his soul. He breathed it every step
of the way as he served others with sincerity and
transparent intentions.
C O N S I S T E N C Y
Cesar Chavez’ life was consistent from beginning to end.
He did not appear or disappear suddenly or overnight. He
was in essence the same person from his childhood to his
last days. He wasn’t into something one day and into
something different the next day. His journey was steady
as were his principles. He was a serious person who
naturally and fully developed from the seed that destiny
planted in him into the mature and effective leader he
came to be. His message was his own devoted life, a
message delivered with as much simplicity as strength and
effectiveness. After his death and to this day, his message
perseveres in his legacy of steadfastness, inspiration, and
struggle.
Cesar Chavez’ efforts on behalf of some of the less
privileged and abused workers of America continues to be
a paradigm for those who aspire to serve others. The
closeness and unity of his character-message is a harvest
of service, sacrifice and dedication. We thank Cesar Chavez
for this down-to-earth yet powerful service to humanity,
and for having nothing else in mind but to uphold the
dignity of farm workers and their invaluable contribution.
If something validated Cesar Chavez’ advocacy for farm
workers more than anything else, was the very fact his
struggle to achieve fairer and more humane conditions was
deeply rooted in him. His right to fight for the people was
his own firsthand experience and understanding of the
sentiment of the workers, because that sentiment was
embedded in him. Cesar Chavez became a natural leader
because he shared the same experiences as those of the
workers he tenaciously fought for. He had the background
and the qualifications.
H U M I L I T Y
In Cesar Chavez this attribute was truly genuine. His
humility was far from being pretended or even
implemented in his work. It flowed naturally through him
because he was a humble human being willing to serve
others, versus pretending to be a self-appointed leader
who displayed humility at convenience. While some so-
called leaders wear humility as a garment for certain
occasions and to appear humble, Cesar Chavez’ humility
was a virtue sowed in his soul. He breathed it every step
of the way as he served others with sincerity and
transparent intentions.
C O N S I S T E N C Y
Cesar Chavez’ life was consistent from beginning to end.
He did not appear or disappear suddenly or overnight. He
was in essence the same person from his childhood to his
last days. He wasn’t into something one day and into
something different the next day. His journey was steady
as were his principles. He was a serious person who
naturally and fully developed from the seed that destiny
planted in him into the mature and effective leader he
came to be. His message was his own devoted life, a
message delivered with as much simplicity as strength and
effectiveness. After his death and to this day, his message
perseveres in his legacy of steadfastness, inspiration, and
struggle.
Cesar Chavez’ efforts on behalf of some of the less
privileged and abused workers of America continues to be
a paradigm for those who aspire to serve others. The
closeness and unity of his character-message is a harvest
of service, sacrifice and dedication. We thank Cesar Chavez
for this down-to-earth yet powerful service to humanity,
and for having nothing else in mind but to uphold the
dignity of farm workers and their invaluable contribution.
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2007 |
| Relevant Information in BARRIOZONA |
Cesar E. Chavez
Boldness, Sacrifice and Devotion
When we analyze the work and service of the late
Mexican-American icon, it never comes short to the
measure of a great leader.
The Cross and the Hoe
by Dr. Santos C. Vega
Cesar Chavez in Phoenix, 1972
by Dr. Christine Marin
Boldness, Sacrifice and Devotion
When we analyze the work and service of the late
Mexican-American icon, it never comes short to the
measure of a great leader.
The Cross and the Hoe
by Dr. Santos C. Vega
Cesar Chavez in Phoenix, 1972
by Dr. Christine Marin
| Click on the Book Covers to learn how to purchase any of these books, or visit www.hisi.org/cultural_literature.html |
| Literature about Cesar Chavez |
| Hispanic Institute of Social Issues © 2007 All rights reserved. webmaster@hisi.org |
| Image (taken from Cesar Chavez' plaque at the Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Phoenix) and collage by Eduardo Barraza. |