Helen's Park

A communal meal being served in Helen's Garden in spring 1972.

Hub Segur Papers on the United Farm Workers (D-605), Special Collections, Univ. Library, UC Davis

Quick Facts

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

1 listed

Audio Description

After Cesar began organizing farm workers in 1962-and especially after the Delano grape strike began in 1965-Helen was largely left to care for their eight children pretty much by herself. Over the years she also became a surrogate mother to countless young single volunteers who journeyed to Delano, and later to La Paz, to work for social justice. She often made seats at her table for those who couldn't make it home for the holidays. Helen frequently cooked for their weddings and baptisms as well as big union events and celebrations. And she became a friend and confidant to many. What she did for her family she did for the movement.

Saturday evenings and Sundays often found Helen gathered with volunteers and visitors at the small park and fieldstone grill pit next to the Chavez home, barbecuing and relaxing after a full day or week of hard work. Cesar sometimes lent a hand helping to grill chicken and meat for the group, a significant concession for the strict vegetarian.