Lupe Martinez facts for kids

Lupe Martinez (born in 1945) is an American leader and activist. He has spent his whole life working to make things better for farm workers. These are people who travel to different places to harvest crops.

Lupe Martinez holds many important roles. He is the chairman of the National Farmworker Alliance. He also leads MAFO, a group that helps farm workers and rural communities. He is the president of the Wisconsin Farmworkers Coalition. For over 45 years, he has been the head of United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS).

Early Life and His Work

Lupe Martinez grew up as a migrant worker. His family traveled across the Midwest to harvest crops. He was one of 10 children. Even as a young person, he helped manage the family's money.

Working with Cesar Chavez

As a young man, Martinez worked with Cesar Chavez. They marched together during the grape boycott in the 1970s. This boycott was a way to protest for better conditions for farm workers.

Leading UMOS

In 1974, Martinez became the President and CEO of UMOS. At that time, UMOS was a small agency helping migrants in just one state. By 2019, UMOS had grown a lot. It became a well-known organization across the country. It runs over forty different programs.

UMOS is the largest non-profit organization in Wisconsin led by Hispanic people. It is also one of the biggest in the United States. UMOS helps people in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas.

Helping the Community

Martinez is part of the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board. This group helps people find jobs. Every month, about 20,000 people visit the UMOS Job Center in Milwaukee for help with finding work.

Martinez also started the Latina Resource Center. This center is special because it helps Hispanic women who are facing difficult situations. It offers support for those dealing with family problems or other serious issues.

Remembering Cesar Chavez

In 1993, Martinez was a pallbearer at Cesar Chavez's funeral. He helped carry Chavez's casket during his "final march." This march was on the land where Chavez had held his first fast. That fast helped bring national attention to the farm workers' movement.

In 2002, Martinez worked with the Racine Unified School District. Together, they started the Cesar Chavez School of Excellence. This is a public charter school.

Martinez was chosen to be on the Wisconsin Council on Migrant Labor by Governor Jim Doyle. He was chosen again by Governor Scott Walker. He also served on the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Awards and Honors

Lupe Martinez has received many awards for his work.

• In April 2014, he gave the MAFO Lifetime Achievement Award to Arturo Rodriguez. Rodriguez took over from Cesar Chavez as the head of the United Farmworkers.
• Martinez received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee.
• He was honored with the Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award from Chavez's widow.
• He also received the World Citizen Award from the International Institute of Wisconsin.
• In 2015, the Spanish Journal called him a "Champion for Migrant Workers."
• In 2016, OnMilwaukee named him "the most influential Latino in the state of Wisconsin."
• In 2017, Martinez was added to the Farmworker Advocate Hall of Fame.

When UMOS celebrated its 50th anniversary, Congresswoman Gwen Moore spoke about Lupe Martinez. She said he is dedicated to helping people. He provides programs and services to improve jobs, education, health, and housing for those UMOS serves. This includes migrant and seasonal farm workers and other people who need help.

Martinez's face is part of a mural at Shorewood High School. It shows him with other important Latino leaders.

See also

• List of civil rights leaders
• Union organizer