LULAC Statement on the Passing of Helen Chavez

June 7, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr. issued the following statement regarding the passing of Helen Chavez, the widow of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, who led the United Farm Workers of America for 31 years. Together, they fought to ensure equal treatment and fair wages for farmworkers across the country.

"Helen Chavez played an integral role in the fight to change deplorable living and working conditions for farmworkers, including the unfair wages they received at the time. Having worked in the fields, she had firsthand knowledge of what farmworkers faced every day when they went to work. Helen was a tower of strength for the movement. She walked the picket lines, was arrested multiple times and kept the union's finances in order by maintaining the books. In addition to fighting for the movement, Helen raised their 8 children and kept their family together when her husband was absent fighting for the cause. With deep gratitude for all that she did, LULAC extends its condolences to the Chavez family. The Latino community has lost a great heroine."

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.