Angelica Murillo

This is a short summary of my life as a farmer in the United States. I am Angelica Murillo, Mexican, originally from La Sandia, Guanajuato. Like most of the world's migrants, we left our beloved town in search of better living conditions in 1959. I currently reside in San Luis, AZ. I worked in the fields for 40 consecutive years. I love the land that gives us life and I love it when I remember the work I did in the fields. It was beautiful to work outdoors among the green plants and the fruits that feed us, although sometimes those memories are also accompanied by a certain sadness when remembering the abuse and mistreatment that we received from some supervisors who were getting rich at the expense of the humble farmworker. This was the reason why Mr. Cesar Chávez began his fight in favor of the farm workers. His parents also suffered injustices; their land was taken from them. They were very difficult times.

When I started working there was no rest, we practically ate in the furrows, because if not, they would scold us; We traveled to work in trucks without proper seats, boards were placed across for sitting. These were times of suffering, but also of hope. Thanks to God and to Mr. Cesar Chávez and his fight for workers' rights, the situation of many people improved. In 1979, the struggle was very difficult for us, but we won, I say it with great pride because I was in that march, it was when unemployment and fairer treatment for the farmworkers was won, among other things. Mr. Chávez's motto was one of NON VIOLENCE. As of that date, as I said before, the situation for us, farworkers, began to improve, sadly he went before us, he died at a very young age. Rest in peace, Mr. César Chávez!