Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond received the prestigious Cesar E. Chavez Opportunity Award for his dedicated efforts in empowering farm working families and underserved communities. The award was bestowed upon Superintendent Thurmond at the 8th Annual Cesar Chavez Legacy Breakfast, in honor of Chavez’s 97th birthday, by The Farmworkers Institute of Education & Leadership Development (FIELD).

Expressing his gratitude, Thurmond remarked, “Extraordinary models of social justice inspire us to do better and be better. There are few that rival the inspiration of Cesar Chavez and FIELD, an organization he founded 46 years ago, and their work to support farm working and rural communities.” He further added, “When I began my career in public service, I committed myself to lifting up our communities that needed it the most. That did not change when I began my service as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I am truly honored and humbled by this award.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Superintendent Thurmond worked tirelessly to ensure that children from rural and farmworker communities had access to essential resources. He secured digital devices and WiFi access for these students, provided water bottles to Coachella farmworkers during a heatwave, and distributed personal protective equipment to support schools, farmworkers, Native American families, and nonprofits.

In addition to his pandemic response efforts, Thurmond championed legislation to benefit farmworkers, such as securing overtime pay and creating grant programs for bilingual education. He also focused on providing emergency resources to farmworker, rural, and immigrant students and their families in areas affected by natural disasters.

FIELD, the organization presenting the award, is dedicated to uplifting underserved populations in minority communities through educational and workforce development programs. Founded by farmworker leader Cesar E. Chavez, FIELD aims to empower individuals towards self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.

In conclusion, Superintendent Thurmond's commitment to serving farm working families and underserved communities has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the Cesar E. Chavez Opportunity Award presented by FIELD.