Juana Chávez

Juanita Chávez is recognized for her contributions to labor and civil rights activism. The daughter of Richard Chávez and Dolores Huerta, Chávez was raised in a family deeply involved in the United Farm Workers movement. Her early experiences on picket lines and marches informed her lifelong commitment to social justice, labor rights, and education advocacy.

Chávez attended San Francisco State University, where she mentored youth through the Real Alternatives Program and collaborated with the Chicano Moratorium to support Bay Area students advocating for increased funding for education and ethnic studies. She interned at the Feminist Majority and later earned a teaching credential, teaching at Mission High School in San Francisco. There, she co-founded and advised the school's first Gay Straight Alliance. Chávez continued her work as an educator in public schools in Los Angeles and San Francisco, focusing on equity and inclusion.

Chávez has played a significant role at the Dolores Huerta Foundation, serving as a board member since its inception and later working in Special Projects. The foundation is dedicated to grassroots organizing and community empowerment, addressing issues such as the school-to-prison pipeline and supporting initiatives like Proposition 30 to increase state funding for local schools.

As a public speaker, Chávez addresses topics at the intersection of gender, power, and social change. She headlined a talk at Los Medanos College titled "You Can't Write Women Out of History!" and is featured in the documentary film "Dolores." In media interviews, including with NBC News, Chávez has discussed her experiences growing up in the movement and the challenges of navigating gender and cultural expectations. Her work continues to influence conversations on gender equity, Latinx identity, and grassroots activism.