Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927)

I include Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Workers of America, as a hero because I admire his fight for the rights of workers. This is a fight that Jewish labor leaders contributed to for a long time, and one that I hope idealistic secular Jews haven't forgotten. Unfortunately Chavez is dead and farm workers are still suffering. And in quite a few states, seemingly established labor rights for many workers, not just farm workers -- such as collective bargaining -- are in danger.