The First Farm Worker Woman in America To Be Hired As A Union Organizer

Maria Moreno does not get the full credit that she deserves. She was the first women to organize a union for the farm workers. Maria Moreno was a migrant mother of 12 and was elected by her fellow farmers to represent them as a union organizer. "Adios Amor: The Search for Maria Moreno" is a film that is about the story of Maria Moreno. In 1958 there was a flood in Tulare County that left over 300 farm workers displaced and without work. The farmworkers were not eligible for food assistance. Maria's eldest son was not eating so his younger brothers and sisters can have enough food. This cause her eldest son to get hospitalized. Maria started speaking her mind and the county changed her policies. Cesar Chavez never recruited Maria Moreno for his union he considered her a "big mouth." There was rivalry between both unions and gender played a role as well. 

https://www.colorlines.com/articles/meet-maria-moreno-first-farm-worker-woman-america-be-hired-union-organizer