Christine Chavez has made a lifetime commitment to civil rights, the labor movement, and community organizing. She was born in the City of Delano, in the heart of California’s Central Valley where she was surrounded by the farm worker movement.
Today, Christine works for the United States Department of Agriculture where she serves as the Farm Worker Coordinator. Previously, she served as the United Farm Workers’ political director where she raised public awareness to protect the civil rights of farm workers and the larger immigrant community.
Christine heard her grandfather, Cesar Chavez, once say, “We don’t need perfect political systems. We need perfect participation.” Taking it to heart she has come to master the art of modern day campaigning and community organizing. Christine helped elect numerous candidates to high office from the Mayor of Los Angeles to the California Assembly Speaker and she is no stranger to presidential campaigns. In 2004, Christine campaigned for the Kerry-Edwards ticket in the State of New Mexico. In 2008 Christine traveled to Colorado and Texas for the primaries and most recently served as a surrogate speaker for then candidate Barack Obama.
Latina Magazine recently named Christine as one of their top Latinas for her longtime involvement with civil rights issues; particularly her work on marriage equality. She has been recognized by the Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force for leadership on helping to end discrimination. The Chicana Latina Foundation of San Francisco and the Rhode Island Women’s Fund have paid tribute to Christine’s dedication and hard work.
Christine’s work has not been limited to the United Farm Workers. She understands that solidarity with other unions is labor’s lifeblood. Over the years, Christine has joined workers of Service Employee International Union 1877 in their battle against L.A. International Airport, the United Food and Commercial Workers strike against California super markets, and the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees in long fights against L.A. area Hotels and the University of Southern California.
Christine considers her ongoing involvement with the Latino and African American Leadership Alliance as an important project to bring two historically disenfranchised communities together to forge peace and unity.
Christine resides in Washington DC with her husband Oscar and their dogs Boycott and Buddy. Her work is based on the values passed down to her from her grandfather Cesar Chavez, the fight for civil rights, social justice, and labor equality.
