These Spanish-speaking Mexicans lived in overcrowded shacks without electricity or running water and the children of these nomads had little education. By eighth grade, Chavez had attended over 30 schools, but had learned to read and speak English. In 1965, he led wine grape farmers to strike for fair pay and union rights. The strike lasted five years and attracted national attention with Chavez' call for consumer boycotts and nonviolent change. A 1974 Louis Harris poll showed 17 million American adults honored the grape boycott.
Life is found in the gift of service .