In the early 1960s, when Cesar began to organize field workers in the San Joaquin Valley, Helen Fabela Chavez was at his side. In the early 1960s, when Cesar began to organize field workers in the San Joaquin Valley, Helen Fabela Chavez was at his side. Loving and listening to each as if they were her only one. Chávez mostly maintained the traditional role of a woman involved in such movements by assisting in the administrative parts of the process and by staying out of the public eye.
To her family, she was a beacon of hope and pride.Chavez’s selfless determination to create change for thousands, her tirelessness and sacrifice was pointed out over and over by loved ones Monday at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church in Tehachapi, where Cardinal Roger Mahoney, retired archbishop of Los Angeles, presided over the the Mass of Christian Burial earlier in the day. Because of Helen’s guidance, no Chavez offspring has ever gloated or made claims about their father or by extension themselves, of being famous. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option.Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Pope Francis sent his condolences.Attendees included Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, and actor Edward James Olmos.As you can imagine, these numbers represent a lot of work. Her husband may have been the face and the voice of the United Farm Workers movement, but Helen Fabela Chavez. In September 1965, while members of Cesar’s young Latino union debated whether or not to join a grape strike begun that month by members of a largely Filipino union. Please try again later.You must agree to Terms of serviceAlso an additional 2 volunteers within fifty miles.You have chosen this person to be their own family member.Take a tour to see what has changed.We were unable to submit your feedback at this time.
An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their requestYou must select an email preferenceFor memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab.Share this memorial using social media sites or email.Plese check the I'm not a robot checkbox.'Select a place on the map to place the pin.Found more than one record for entered EmailPhoto request sent successfully.Thank you! She was the center of her children’s lives, sharing kindness, love and advice. She was arrested for the cause, and famously thrust the UFW into standing in solidarity with Filipino farmworkers, when during a debate about whether to strike alongside them, she chimed in and asked, “Are we a union, or not?”Her propensity for hanging back, for preferring the supportive background to fame and accolades shaped her whole life, which was lived, very much, for the sake of others. Enter a valid email address and a feedback message.Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Try again later.Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE.Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive?This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorialUse the links under “See more…” to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc.Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code.This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photosPlease check your email and click on the link to activate your account.Please check the I'm not a robot checkboxFailed to delete photo. She was extra special to each grand-, great- and great-great-grandchild. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced today for Helen Fabela Chavez, the famed Delano labor activist and wife of the late United Farm Workers union co-founder, Cesar Chavez. Thank you!If not for Helen Chavez’s support, the farm worker movement may never have happened.Helen Chavez was the perfect mother figure, respected anchor and beloved matriarch of her family. Keene, Calif.—Helen Fabela Chavez, 88, who played a vital role helping her husband give birth to what became the first enduring farm workers union in U.S. history—and sustained Cesar Chavez during the 31 years he led the United Farm Workers of America—passed away today, Monday, June 6, at a Bakersfield hospital surrounded by many her seven surviving …