Chavez, Cesar (1927–93)

A MIGRANT FARM worker in his youth, Cesar Chavez (1927–93) went on to become one of America's most legendary labor leaders and a heroic [Page 239]icon for Latino/Chicano civil rights. Chavez's activism began in 1952 as an organizer for Saul Alinsky's Community Services Organization, when he became its general director in 1958. In 1962, along with Dolores Huerta, Chavez co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which grew to become the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO four years later. In 1972, the organization was chartered as an independent affiliate of the AFL-CIO, and was renamed the United Farm Workers of America (UFW). Until his death, Chavez served as the UFW's president and was its most public representative and spokesperson.