Introduction

The exhibition “Hope and Dignity” captures the duality of the struggle faced by farmworkers: hope for a better economic future for themselves and their families by creating a strong union, and dignity in their quest for being recognized as human beings and citizens.

César Chávez

Chávez’s vision of transforming a labor struggle into a nonviolent Farm Worker Movement helped the union to succeed by mobilizing national support for farmworkers. The grape boycott had an important impact nationally and internationally.

Huelguistas

The farmworker movement of the 1960s and 1970s forged a broad coalition of workers, students, activists, and religious allies that won most of its early battles leveraging its diversity. It extended collective bargaining rights to farmworkers and created a social movement.

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Children

Children participated and were present in all union activities—fieldwork, picketing, union meetings, office work, marches, etc. With their parents having to work for long days, children had to spend time in the fields. Those old enough were additional hands, while the younger ones were simply present.

Boycotts

The UFW is known for the grape boycott that started in 1966 and eventually forced the growers to sign contracts with the union four years later. Boycotting stores was one of the union’s main strategies. This was called a “secondary boycott,” a form of union solidarity that was prohibited under the National Labor Relations Act.

Pickets

During the grape strike, the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) adopted a new tactic called the roving picket line, where activists traveled in car caravans, arrived at grape fields waving flags and banners, and called workers out before moving to the next location.

1968 Fast

The fast César Chávez undertook on February 14, 1968, was an atonement for the violence committed by other members of his organization in response to violence against them. He wanted to bring back into focus their fight for justice, prevent further acts of violence by the strikers, and rededicate the movement.

Housing

The housing crisis among farmworkers sparked National Farm Workers Association efforts to close and reform the camps. To keep the inside temperatures bearable during summer, tenants had to find heavy carpets or old mattresses, throw them over the roofs of the hovels, and keep them soaking wet day and night.