Helen Chávez, a first generation Mexican-American, former labor activist for the United Farm Workers of America and wife of Mexican-American Latino Civil Rights activist, César Chávez knows firsthand the importance of mothers - after all she is a treasured mother to eight children.
So on Mother's Day, Sunday May 10, not only should Chavez be honored, but she's paying it forward and recognizing the many strong women farm workers at Gerawan Farming -- many who are also mothers themselves.
"My father believed that workers just aren't workers. He knew that at the workplace, there was a whole set of problems that workers had -- working conditions, benefits, immigration reform and lobbying.
"But he also understood that when home, after a hard work in the fields, pesticide exposure, they went home to face a whole set of problems, the lack of affordable housing health care for children and educational opportunities," Paul Chavez, the son of Cesar Chavez and President and chairman of the Cesar Chavez Foundation told the Latin Post.
The women behind their powerful husbands, standing beside the podium in support are often overlooked, but when heard -- they have some of the most powerful voices, thoughts and ideas that should be shared with the world.
Helen Chávez, former labor activist for the United Farm Workers of America and wife of César Chávez turns 86 today.
The women behind their powerful husbands, standing beside the podium in support are often overlooked, but when heard -- they have some of the most powerful voices, thoughts and ideas that should be shared with the world.
Helen Chávez, former labor activist for the United Farm Workers of America and wife of César Chávez turns 86 today.
