El Pasoan Manuela Gallardo remembers being in her early 20s when she learned about César Chávez’s dedication to migrant farmworkers.

"I lived in El Paso, but I would hear so much about him on the television," Gallardo said about the civil rights activist. "I was so proud because he was Latino and he did so much for those Latinos that deserved to be heard."

Gallardo was among about 500 people who attended the César Chávez Celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe Preparatory School. At the celebration, attendees enjoyed Mexican food and listened to music in honor of Chávez’s birthday, March 31. The labor leader, born in 1927, died April 23, 1993.

Gallardo, 70, who went to the celebration with her cousin, said having festivities that commemorate figures such as Chávez help educate Latino youth about their roots.

"We still know about La Causa (the movement), and people follow it," she said. "He’s not with us in person, but people still feel his spirit as an activist."

Estela Reyes Lopez, a spokeswoman for Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe, said it’s vital to teach children about Chávez’s legacy, mission and life and to carry on his teachings.

In the 1960s, Chávez co-founded and led the United Farm Workers labor union. Through it, he achieved "dignity, respect, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits and humane living conditions," according to the César Chávez Foundation, which is dedicated to improving communities by preserving and following Chávez’s ideals.

Before Monday, Lorraine Kress said she did not know who Chávez was.

"[La Fe volunteers and personnel] have been helping me out and giving me some of the history," said Kress, who volunteered at the event for a UTEP class. "It’s exciting and it’s neat to see all the neighborhood people coming around."

But Kress said after learning that Chávez’s movement improved working conditions for migrant workers, she believes people who work in the fields are still underrepresented and have a long way to go.

"A lot of the migrant workers are so underpaid, and they don’t have rights," she said. "All of this is very health-affecting."

Stephanie Sanchez may be reached at ssanchez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.