Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the granddaughter and torch-bearer of civil and labor rights activist Cesar Chavez, was introduced to the plight of the farmworker in early childhood and hasn’t abandoned the fight since. Now the program director for the Cesar E. Chavez foundation, she works with youth in Latino communities toward more involvement and self-empowerment, upholding her grandfather’s idea that “we don’t need perfect political systems, we need perfect participation.” Chavez Rodriguez has developed numerous after-school programs based on Cesar Chavez’s ideals, and has even developed a web-based K–12 curriculum on the life and work of her grandfather. She also works hand in hand with the United Farm Workers on issues like voter registration and activist programs, and tours the country giving speeches which share her personal memories of her grandfather’s work and promote education, human rights, community service and justice for all. She speaks on Monday, May 11, at Sonoma State University Cooperage. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 7:30pm. Free. 707.664.2382.Gabe Meline
.May 11: Julie Chavez Rodriguez at SSU
