from the Writer's Almanac:
It's the birthday of activist and labor organizer César Chávez, born on a farm near Yuma, Arizona (1927). When Chávez was 10 years old, he started laboring as a migrant farm worker. He and his family picked grapes and harvested vegetables. He co-founded the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers (UFW). He was passionate about working to alleviate the miserable conditions of farm workers, including low wages, backbreaking work, little or no recourse after injury, and infrequent breaks.
My school district treats the holiday as some flexible day to suit our schedule. My wife, who works for SFUSD, got today off, and I will get next Monday off!
