Our Stories
Teachings of Nonviolence, Overcoming Fears In fall of 1970, I met my future wife, Anna, César’s fourth daughter. When Anna and I were married in 1971 I had a great job with the MAAC Project in National City. As we ended the Christmas holiday with my new in-laws, César offered me the opportunity to work with him. And so began our close association. I worked as a member of César’s security team. A month later, at 23, I was in charge of the team and became his scheduler, advance man, speech writer, political adviser, and confidante. We worked seven days a week, 15 to 18 hours a day, organizing and attending marches, picket lines, and speaking engagements, while traveling the country and other parts of the world. In addition to nonviolence, César taught us all to overcome our fears. His enduring lessons taught thousands of us to never stop working for social justice and that every human being deserves to be treated with dignity.
Importance of Family I worked with my father-in-law for four years. Later, I earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University, served as special assistant to Governor Jerry Brown, helped to establish the CA Conservation Corps, directed the CA Border Commission and established my own public affairs firm. Anna and I were blessed to raise four fantastic children, add a great daughter and son–in-law and were blessed with one grandson, Rex. I offer praise to my mother-in-law, Helen Fabela Chávez, who along with her husband César, my wife Anna, and her seven siblings, started the farmworker movement. They were later joined by Dolores Huerta, Gilbert Padilla, Julio Hernandez and others, who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with César. Without Helen Chávez, there would never have been a César Chávez. She was the rock of the movement. My grandfather’s legacy was my rock! Born in 1948 into a Logan Heights, working-class family, my father was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and my mother, a bakery manager. My parents worked to provide my three brothers and me with a Catholic education they never dreamt of for themselves. Eventually, my parents and my three brothers worked for the movement. The challenges during my time with the UFW shaped almost everything I have done since. I came to know César as a leader, mentor, and grandfather of my children. To me he became the most intelligent, peaceful, powerful leader I would ever meet.
Richard Ybarra and daughter Cynthia (Photo courtesy Richard Ybarra Family Archives)
Richard Ybarra and César Chávez (Photo courtesy Richard Ybarra Family Archives)
César Chávez and granddaughter (Photo courtesy Richard Ybarra Family Archives)
108
San Diego Latino Legacy – Timeline • Milestones • Stories
Chapter 4 – The Rise & Legacy of the Chicano Movement
109
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator