History & Culture

Uniting for Change: The Legacy of César E. Chávez

Under the leadership of César E. Chávez, along with other key figures such as Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong, and the support of millions of Americans, the farm worker movement united with other reform efforts to achieve historic successes. These efforts brought about significant improvements in the working and living conditions of farm workers, as well as increased wages.

In the 1970s, the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), which had its beginnings as a union for farm workers, expanded to become a national voice for the poor and disenfranchised. One of the movement's most significant achievements was the passage of California's Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, the first law in the United States to officially recognize farm workers' right to collective bargaining. This accomplishment remains one of the enduring legacies of César E. Chávez and the farm worker movement.

 

 

USPS

Related Organizations

Cesar Chavez Foundation
UFW Foundation
United Farm Workers
Farm Worker Movement Documentation Project

American Latino Heritage

The breadth of Latino/a experience is a vital aspect of America's rich and diverse past. The places explored here barely begin to hint at the varied ways their lives intersected with one another. Discover these remarkable stories preserved in our national parks and historic places.