Founding of FWA, later NFWA

Founding of FWA, later NFWA

People walking in the original march from Delano to Sacramento with FWA eagle patches sewn onto their clothing, 1966. Photo by John Kouns.

César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, Gilbert Padilla, Helen Chávez, Julio and Fina Hernández, Richard Chávez, Tony and Rachel Orendáin, and others founded the National Farm Workers Association NFWA). About 150 worker delegates and their families attended the founding convention at the Edison Social Hall at 1405 California Street in Fresno. Jesús Martínez, a farmworker from Sanger, became the first president. Chávez was elected general director, Tony Orendáin was elected secretary-treasurer, and Gilbert Padilla was elected as one of the six board members. The famous black eagle flag was unveiled. Delegates adopted the eagle flag as the association’s symbol and “¡Viva la Causa!” as their motto.

Founding of NFWA, September 30, 1962

Some delegates to the inaugural convention of the Farm Workers Association, later renamed the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA).  Photo courtesy of Julio Hernández. Farmworker Movement Collection, Tom and Ethel Bradley Center.

LP album “¡Viva La Causa! CA, 1966

LP album “¡Viva La Causa! Songs and Sounds from the Delano Grape Strike,” by El Teatro Campesino. 1966. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

NEH-Preferred-Seal-logo

Tom & Ethel Bradley Center
California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330
Phone: (818) 677-1200 / Contact Us

en_USEnglish