A Passion Born at MJC

I was born in Sinaloa, Mexico.  When I was eight years old, I was brought by my parents to the United States in 1980.  Beginning at the age of 15 I worked in nurseries, dairies and picked peaches and apricots to help my family during the summer months.  I attended Hilmar High School and graduated in 1990.  I then volunteered to join the military and spent 4 years in the U.S. Air Force.  After leaving the military, I spent two years at Modesto Junior College and earned my Associate in Arts Degree.  While at junior college I got involved with the United Farm Workers’ (UFW) strawberry campaign and organized dozens of volunteers to leaflet stores and orchestrated other actions in the Modesto area.

The consistent support of MJC teachers in all of my classes, but especially our MEChA Club advisors, made a big difference in my life.

After graduating in 1997, I was asked to take an internship at the UFW office in Los Angeles as a community organizer.  Less than two years later I transferred to the organizing department in Delano, CA where I continue to focus on organizing farm workers.  During my time at the UFW, I have run field operations for political campaigns, run non-ALRB elections and also steered numerous organizing campaigns.  I now serve as the Organizing Director for the External Organizing Department and Internal Organizing Department for the UFW and am a part of the Union Executive Board as a National Vice President.

- Armando Elenes, Class of 1997