Cesar Chavez

“One of the heroic figures of our times,” Senator Robert F. Kennedy once said as Cesar E. Chavez was honored the “Presidential Medal of Freedom & the Aguila Azteca” due to his extraordinary achievements. Cesar E. Chavez was born March 31, 1927, on the small farm near Yuma, Arizona. Upon his youth growing into his manhood, Chavez was forced to migrate southwest to work in the fields and vineyards, where he was open tot he sufferings and inequalities of a homestead laborer. Chavez was able to become of himself a labor leader: a nonviolent activist: a community servant; and a spiritual figure before he passed away on April 23, 1993 (Cesar E. Chavez Foundation 1). To this day, Chavez is still remembered for the integrity vision, and courage Chavez depicted through his nuisance of becoming a catalyst for change. In order to be recognized as an exceptional leader, a person must acquire a sense of trust where people offer their fullest assurance to that individual (Campbell 1). Therefore, Chavez can be characterized with integrity, as he was able to attain the trust of his followers as seen through his actions. Chavez founded and lead the first successful farm workers union in which 1200 members joined to boycott Delano table and wine grape owners in order to obtain better benefits for warm workers (Cesar E. Chavez 1). Chavez was able to achieve respect, fair wages, medical coverage, retirement benefits, as well as other rights due to his perseverance and support of his followers. Without having the trust of his followers, Chavez would not of been able to rise up to the occasion by him self. The may reason Chavez was able to gain the respect of his supporters was by committing to goal and living up to his own values by organizing strikes and succeeding in boycotts. Great leaders shows vision by having a clear picture of a future that is worth fighting for and them to commit and be passionate about creating that desired future (Campbell 1). Chavez showed a clear sense of purpose as he rallied others around his purpose to create an organization that would ensure the protection of farm workers. Cesar created the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) and led them through a successful five-year strike-boycott that united millions to the United Farm Workers. By 1975, a Louis Harris poll showed 17 million American adults honoring the grape boycott. This forced growers to support the California Governor Jerry Brown’s collective bargaining law for farm workers, the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act, ensuring peace in the agricultural fields guaranteeing justice for all agricultural workers and stability in labor relation (Cesar E. Chavez). Chavez sense of vision enabled him to seek a goal and in order to obtain it, he planned and organized an organization that was successful. Leaders are often called upon to take courageous actions (Campbell 3). Chavez does so by deciding to fast for 25 days in 1972 and in 1988, at the age of 61, he endured a 36-day “Fast for Life” to highlight the harmful impact of pesticides on farm workers and their children (Cesar E. Chavez Foundation 2). Chavez shows great courage by taking a challenge knowing he might face potential death or severe sickness by fasting, yet he still has the audacity to do so in order to prove his capabilities. Another example where Chavez depicts courage is when he leads the strike from Delano to Sacramento (Movie). It is a long journey to complete and despite the conditions, Chavez still managed to finish the march while facing fatigue and mal-nourishment. Chavez was a bold man who persevered by never giving up setting himself up for courageous acts in order to fight for his people.
Through the various examples explained, Chavez is characterized by having integrity, courage, and vision upon his success and voyage of fulfilling his dreams. There by having the essential characteristics, Chavez can also be distinguish as being a catalyst for change by obtaining benefits for farm workers as well as serving as an inspiration, role-model, and leader for many. When a hero comes to mind, many think of a made up super hero with super natural powers, but you won’t know what a true hero is until you have learned about Cesar E. Chavez.