United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom today, Friday May 3, 2024.
As her guests to the ceremony, President Romero will be joined by three remarkable farm worker leaders and UFW Vice President Erika Navarrete.
UFW member Asuncion Ponce has worked since the 1980s harvesting wine grapes and pruning pistachio trees and is deeply committed to advancing farm worker rights. In 2022, he marched 335 miles so that farm workers could improve their ability to vote in union elections.
Maria Garcia, UFW elected leader and mother of five, has worked with pruning, seeding and harvesting plants. She works at Star Roses under UFW contract for over 8 years. Maria has been outspoken about the benefits of working under a collective bargaining agreement.
Rosa Maria Silva De Rodriguez is a new UFW member and mother of three. Previously a tomato harvester, Rosa works at Wonderful Nurseries. Showing relentless leadership and courage, Rosa has been working to secure a union contract at her place of work.
“To me, the Presidential Medal of Freedom means the people that I serve are being seen at the highest level,” says President Romero. “Their work, their skill, their sacrifice and their courage is not being overlooked today. It is my honor to be here representing farm workers.”
