FORT DAVIS — A new history exhibit is on display at the Jeff Davis County Library in Fort Davis. In His Own Words: The Life and Work of César Chávez is a traveling exhibition produced by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, which established a grant to create the display.
Throughout his youth and into young adulthood, César Chávez experienced the hardships of being a migrant farm worker and of racial discrimination.
Born in Yuma, Arizona, in 1927, Chávez dedicated himself to community organizing activities and, later, to founding the first farm workers’ union. César was inspired by his parents, the teachings of Catholicism, his mentors, the study of civil rights leaders and developed strategies for change. Utilizing strikes, boycotts, marches and other nonviolent tactics, Chávez worked tirelessly until his death in 1993 to secure better pay, job safety, and improved living conditions for farm workers. The images are from original vintage photos, and the exhibit is free of charge. An 11-minute video accompanies it.
Featuring 22 photographs paired with personal quotations, In His Own Words documents Chávez’s career often summed up with a footnote in history books. He paved the way for better conditions of American farm workers. The exhibition will continue from Monday, September 8, through Friday, October 10. For more information, phone the library at (432) 426 3802.
Please note the library’s new hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about Humanities Texas visit their website www.humanitiestexas.org or call (512) 440-1991.