U.S. Department of Labor - Labor Hall of Fame

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Labor Hall of Fame Honoree (1998)

Cesar Chavez
1927-1993

"It's ironic that those who till the soil, cultivate and harvest the fruits, vegetables, and other foods that fill your tables with abundance have nothing left for themselves."

One of the most beloved and electrifying figures in labor history, Cesar Chavez rose from fruit and vegetable picker to leadership of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO. Intensely spiritual, he merged the teachings of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. into a philosophy of non-violence, confounding his opponents and assuring eventual success in his efforts to bring recognition, dignity and a better life to countless migrant farm workers following years of impoverishment and discrimination.

Above: Cesar Chavez at a meeting of LACLA — the Labor Council for Latin America Advancement.