Lupe Martinez facts for kids

Lupe Martinez (born 1945) is an American leader who has spent his life helping farm workers. He is a labor leader and civil rights activist. He works to make sure migrant and seasonal farm workers have good living and working conditions.

Lupe Martinez leads many groups that help farm workers. For over 45 years, he has been the president of United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS). He also helps lead the National Farmworker Alliance and Farmworker Justice.

Lupe Martinez's Early Life and Work

Lupe Martinez grew up as a migrant worker. His family moved around the Midwest to harvest crops. He was one of 10 children. Even as a young man, he helped his family by managing their money.

In the 1970s, Lupe marched with Cesar Chavez. They worked together during the grape boycott. This was a big effort to help farm workers get fair treatment.

Leading UMOS and Helping Communities

In 1974, Lupe Martinez became the President and CEO of UMOS. At that time, UMOS only helped migrant workers in one state. Today, UMOS is a well-known group across the country. It runs over 40 different programs.

UMOS is the biggest Hispanic-led non-profit group in Wisconsin. It is also one of the largest in the United States. UMOS helps people in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Texas. Each month, about 20,000 people visit the UMOS Job Center in Milwaukee. They get help finding jobs and other services there.

Working with Cesar Chavez's Legacy

In 1993, Lupe Martinez was a pallbearer for Cesar Chavez's funeral. He helped carry Chavez's casket during his "final march." This march was on the land where Chavez first went without food to bring attention to farm workers' rights.

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

Lupe Martinez has also been asked to join important councils. He was appointed to the Wisconsin Council on Migrant Labor by Governor Jim Doyle. Governor Scott Walker later asked him to serve again. He also joined the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Awards and Special Honors for Lupe Martinez

Lupe Martinez has received many awards for his hard work. These awards show how much he has helped people.

In April 2014, Lupe Martinez gave the MAFO Lifetime Achievement Award to Arturo Rodriguez. Rodriguez took over from Cesar Chavez as the President of United Farmworkers.

Martinez himself received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. He was also given the Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award by Chavez's widow. The International Institute of Wisconsin gave him the World Citizen Award. In 2015, a newspaper called the Spanish Journal named him a "Champion for Migrant Workers."

In 2016, a website called OnMilwaukee said Lupe Martinez was "the most influential Latino in the state of Wisconsin." In 2017, he was added to the Farmworker Advocate Hall of Fame.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore spoke about Lupe Martinez. She said he is "dedicated to advocating and providing programs and services to improve employment, provide education opportunities as well as health and housing supports for UMOS' clientele." This was during a special session of Congress for UMOS's 50th anniversary.

Lupe Martinez is also shown in a mural at Shorewood High School. His face is there with other important Latino leaders.

See also

• List of civil rights leaders
• Union organizer