My name is Tania A. Chavez Camacho, and I am so honored to serve as the new executive director and president for LUPE and LUPE Votes. I’m ready to carry on this movement for generations to come. ¡Si se puede!
I’m a proud immigrant, Latina, and jarocha. But I’m even prouder to be the daughter of Julio Chavez Mora and Maria Leticia Camacho Chontal, two entrepreneurs who sold thousands of street tacos and chicharrones to help me pursue an education in the U.S. Through the years, God has served as my guiding compass, and my brother has been my guardian angel who watched over me while I lived alone in a country I didn’t know.
Our movement has stood strong for decades, and believe me Steve, we will be here alongside you for decades to come.
LUPE was founded by farm worker leaders Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta. In South Texas, we can thank leaders like Rebecca Flores, Juanita Valdez-Cox, Martha Sanchez, Maria Gomez and so many others who have dedicated their lives to building not only LUPE, but also the Latino civil rights movement.
I have spent more than 10 years learning from our leaders, especially Juanita Valdez-Cox. I humbly assume this position knowing that it is thanks to them that this organization has grown through the years. And with your support, we will carry on until all of our families can thrive and live with dignity.
Our co-founder Cesar E. Chavez once said, “We have seen the future, and the future is ours.” Now, let’s do this together!
¡Si se puede!
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Tania A. Chavez Camacho, the new executive director and president of La Unión del Pueblo. The column first appeared in an e-newsletter LUPE sent out to its members, supporters and media.
Editor’s Note: Here is a video of Tania A. Chavez Camacho telling her story and her thoughts on becoming executive director of LUPE:
Video
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