Changes

==Early life==

==Early life==

He was born on March 31, 1927 on a farm near [[Yuma]], [[Arizona]] owned by his parents. His family lost their holdings during the [[Great Depression]] and moved to [[California]] to work in the fields.  Chavez attended numerous schools but never finished the eighth grade. Chavez served in the United States Navy 1944-1946, then worked in the fields until 1952. In 1952 he became an organizer for the Community Service Organization ('''CSO'''), an organization founded by activist Fred Ross.  During that time, the CSO was targeting police brutality. In 1958 he was elected executive director of the CSO.<ref>''The Story of Cesar Chavez'' (UFW Biography) http://lasculturas.com/biographies/214-civil-rights/112-cesar-chavez</ref>

He was born on March 31, 1927 on a farm near [[Yuma]], [[Arizona]] owned by his parents. His family lost their holdings during the [[Great Depression]] and moved to [[California]] to work in the fields.  Chavez attended numerous schools but never finished the eighth grade. Chavez served in the United States Navy 1944-1946, then worked in the fields until 1952. In 1952 he became an organizer for the Community Service Organization ('''CSO'''), an organization founded by activist Fred Ross as a subsidiary of the [[Industrial Areas Foundation]].  After working with Chavez, Ross convinced [[Saul D. Alinsky]] that Chavez should be hired.<ref>[https://www.thenation.com/article/meet-the-long-forgotten-organizer-who-inspired-cesar-chavez-to-become-an-activist/ https://www.thenation.com/article/meet-the-long-forgotten-organizer-who-inspired-cesar-chavez-to-become-an-activist/]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=UbicAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA417 Britannica Guide to 100 Most Influential Americans]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cHsnz5efcMQC&pg=PT54 Trampling Out the Vintage: Cesar Chavez and the Two Souls of the United Farm Workers]</ref>

 

During that time, the CSO was targeting police brutality. In 1958 he was elected executive director of the CSO.<ref>''The Story of Cesar Chavez'' (UFW Biography) http://lasculturas.com/biographies/214-civil-rights/112-cesar-chavez</ref>

==Farm Workers==

==Farm Workers==

In 1962 Chavez resigned from the CSO, moved to Delano, California, and founded the National Farm Workers Association ('''NFWA'''), precursor of the UFW. Dolores Huerta (b. 1930), was cofounder, first vice president and director of negotiations.<ref>Richard A. Garcia, "Dolores Huerta: Woman, Organizer, and Symbol." ''California History'' 1993 72(1): 56-71. Issn: 0162-2897</ref>  Both Chavez and Huerta were personally mentored by Fred Ross,<ref>[http://action.ufw.org/page/s/fredross Ask President Obama to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cesar's mentor, Fred Ross Sr.]</ref> a close associate of [[Saul D. Alinsky]].

In 1962 Chavez resigned from the CSO, moved to Delano, California, and founded the National Farm Workers Association ('''NFWA'''), precursor of the UFW. Dolores Huerta (b. 1930), was cofounder, first vice president and director of negotiations.<ref>Richard A. Garcia, "Dolores Huerta: Woman, Organizer, and Symbol." ''California History'' 1993 72(1): 56-71. Issn: 0162-2897</ref>  Both Chavez and Huerta were personally mentored by Fred Ross.<ref>[http://action.ufw.org/page/s/fredross Ask President Obama to award Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cesar's mentor, Fred Ross Sr.]</ref>

At first, Chavez concentrated on building a grassroots power base among the field workers. In 1965 the NFWA first engaged in militant action by supporting a strike of Filipino grape pickers organized by the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) led by Larry Itliong.  Although the NFWA was weak, Chavez led his 2,000 members out on strike in support of the smaller group.  

At first, Chavez concentrated on building a grassroots power base among the field workers. In 1965 the NFWA first engaged in militant action by supporting a strike of Filipino grape pickers organized by the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) led by Larry Itliong.  Although the NFWA was weak, Chavez led his 2,000 members out on strike in support of the smaller group.