Few people have given more of themselves to the cause of working people than Dolores Huerta. Born in 1930, Huerta was one of the cofounders of the National Farmworkers Association, and helped organize the farmworkers strike and ally boycott of table grapes. These actions led to the passage of the landmark California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which recognized in law the right of farmworkers to join a union and organize for better working conditions. Huerta was the vice president of the United Farm Workers Union until 1999, and has fought in the fields, in the statehouse, and at the ballot box for the rights of workers, women, and Latines.

It is with heaviness that we acknowledge that last month, the New York Times reported on multiple allegations of sexual abuse by Cesar Chavez, Huerta's long-time collaborator, including against Huerta herself. These women have been holding a terrible secret for nearly 60 years — we can only begin to imagine the weight of carrying that alone while continuing to show up for a movement they loved. Here at FVAP, we have routinely closed our offices for Cesar Chavez Day on March 31, but it is essential to hold even those we have long respected to account when learning of harm they have caused. We thank the California lawmakers who have acted so quickly to recognize the harm that is part of Chavez's legacy, and rededicated the holiday as Farmworkers Day. FVAP will continue to elevate and honor Farmworkers Day, recognizing that the struggle for workers rights and dignity is inseparable from our own mission.

This April, we want Dolores Huerta's name to be the one our community carries forward - for her monumental work on behalf of labor, for her courage to speak out as a survivor, and to center the words of survivors over their abusers. As Huerta says, "The farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual. Cesar's actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people. We must continue to engage and support our community, which needs advocacy and activism now more than ever." We are grateful for her generosity in offering those words, and we stand with her.

FVAP is now accepting Board Member applications!

We are seeking mission-driven leaders with expertise in finance, public health, or the technology sector, and strong Southern California networks to help strengthen our reach across the state to advance equal access to justice for survivors.

Join us in strengthening governance, strategy, and impact across our growing organization.

For more information, check out the full FAQ on our website on current initiatives, committees, and commitments.

To apply, complete this application by April 15th.

We are excited to announce that three new members have joined FVAP’s Board of Directors!

Bre Jones is an attorney who represents a wide range of companies in holding insurers accountable for paying claims. Her work on high-stakes federal and state court litigation, arbitration, and mediation and has repeatedly yielded positive results for clients in a wide variety of industries. Bre is at ease in a courtroom, and has drawn on her early stand-up commercial litigation and pro bono experiences to obtain hundreds of millions of dollars in recoveries for her insurance policyholder clients in more recent experience. (Read more)

Samia Noor (she/her) is a native Southern Californian, first-generation student, and daughter of immigrants, currently pursuing her J.D. at Berkeley Law (Class of 2028). Samia has presented her research on violence against women at several conferences, including the 64th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Her experiences across research, public service, and the legal field have strengthened her dedication to advancing gender equity and supporting survivors of violence. Samia joined the Family Violence Appellate Project board to contribute to an organization providing critical appellate advocacy and legal services to survivors and their families. She plans to pursue a legal career dedicated to protecting women and families from abuse and expanding access to justice. (Read more)

Lucy Ridgway is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Oakland, specializing in family therapy and supporting families navigating family court proceedings. Her path to clinical work began in law, where she volunteered as a court appointed special advocate for vulnerable children, an experience that shaped her enduring commitment to child welfare. In addition to her clinical work, Lucy is an active voice in the field of family law and children’s representation, including ongoing research on children’s advocacy models in family court. She is committed to the mission of FVAP and looks forward to contributing to its work protecting survivors and their families through the appellate process. (Read more)

FVAP is launching our annual Sustainers Circle campaign this month, with a goal of 10 new monthly donors before the end of April. Becoming a Sustainer is one of the most powerful ways to support survivors and their children. Your monthly gift delivers life-saving legal aid and lasting safety month after month, allowing FVAP to provide the same level of care despite the unpredictability of the broader funding environment. Every donation helps, whether that’s $1 a month or $100.

Right now, so much feels unpredictable—but your support doesn’t have to be. Sustainers Circle members give on a recurring basis, creating a strong foundation that keeps life-saving legal services available to survivors, no matter what’s happening in the world. Your ongoing support gives FVAP the freedom to focus on impact—not uncertainty.

Join by April 30th and receive a special thank-you gift from us!

How to become a Sustainer:

Also, many larger employers offer matching funds for donations made directly to nonprofits like FVAP or through regular paycheck deductions. Contact your work’s HR department to see if these are available options for you.

Questions? We’re happy to help: dev@fvaplaw.org | 510-858-7358

Thank you for standing with survivors and helping build a safer future.

FVAP’s Battle of the Bands fundraiser takes the stage for the 14th time this summer! Watch Bay Area attorneys trade the courtroom for the stage, competing for the title of Best Lawyer Band in the Bay—all to support legal aid for survivors. Every dollar donated counts as one vote for your favorite band! Ticket sales open May 1—don’t miss this epic night of music and impact. 

To learn how you can support this fun and mission-critical event, visit our event page. If you are interested in volunteering at the show and enjoy free admission, food, and drink with a backstage view of the event, email dev@fvaplaw.org and we will send you more details.