Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for themselves - and be free.

Chavez dropped out to become a full-time migrant farm worker. In the Midwest Chavez's movement inspired the founding of two midwestern independent unions: Obreros Unidos in Wisconsin in 1966 and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in Ohio in 1967. Chávez Foundation.

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After his death he became a major historical icon for the Latino community organized labor and liberal movement symbolizing support for workers and for Hispanic power based on grass roots organizing and his slogan "Sí se puede" (Spanish for "Yes one can" or roughly "Yes it can be done"). By the late 1970s his tactics had forced growers to recognize the UFW as the bargaining agent for 50000 field workers in California and Florida. However by the mid-1980s membership in the UFW had dwindled to around 15000.