These end-of-summer days are yielding an abundant grape harvest, grown especially juicy under the hot sun. But I’ll never look at a cluster of grapes without remembering Cesar Chavez and the many months’ long boycott that many of us had while he was negotiating with farmers for better working conditions.

These days, March 31^st is the federal commemoration day for César Chávez, and ten U.S. states to honor his life and legacy of working for greater justice. Best known as co-founder of the nationwide United Farm Workers, he pressed to improve working conditions, including the Delano grape strike that spanned my high school through college years.

Chavez used nonviolent tactics, influenced by the work of Mahatma Gandhi, including picketing and boycotts, to pressure farm owners to improve workers’ conditions and pay. Those were difficult months in the lives of everyone involved. Cesar Chavez also used powerful, authentic Roman Catholic actions in his campaigns, including Masses, fasts, and public processions. His faith and community advocacy were interwoven throughout his entire life.