Throughout his youth and into young adulthood, César Chávez experienced the hardships of being a migrant farm worker and the sting of racial discrimination. Motivated by a dream of justice and equality, Chávez dedicated himself to community organizing activities and, later, to founding the first farm workers' union.
He developed strategies to effect the change he envisioned inspired by the principles of his parents, the teachings of Catholicism and his mentors, and the study of successful civil rights leaders. Through strikes, boycotts, marches and other nonviolent tactics, many aspects of Chávez's vision became a reality-securing fair pay, job safety, better living conditions and other essential protections for farm workers.
Featuring 38 photographs paired with excerpts from his dynamic speeches, interviews, and authoritative writings, "In His Own Words" documented the full course of Chávez's remarkable career and examines the life experiences and philosophical influences that drove him to work tirelessly to improve the lives of American farm workers.
"In His Own Words" was made possible by a We the People grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, was a sponsor of this exhibit.