– Maria Juarez, 2022 SAF Program Assistant
Who am I? Hmm. I am still trying to figure that out too.
My name is Maria Juarez, and I am from Burley, Idaho. I am the daughter of two Michoacanos and the youngest sibling of 5. We are part of the population of 3 million farmworkers in the United States. I am a first-generation college graduate. I am a friend. I am an activist. I am a representative of my Latinx community.
The farmworker movement is something I hold dear to my heart and being involved has had a huge contribution to who I am and who I want to be. I was given the best foundation I could ask for, a hardworking and loving family that filled my path with so many opportunities. My family’s sacrifices and desires are the reason I was able to become the best version of myself, and because of that I am giving this movement my best self to help others gain the opportunity to become their best selves. I am doing it for those who are still holding their hand up for help. I am doing this for those who haven't stopped for one second looking for justice. I am doing it for the men and women who remind me of my own parents and the kids who remind me of myself. I would want someone to help my parents, I would want to someone to help me.
I am absolutely so thrilled to be able to help a new cohort of passionate and determined interns make a step into social advocacy with farmworkers. The part of this program I am most excited about is getting to see the beginning of a new generation of change in the right direction for this movement. I was in their position last summer as an intern and was positively overwhelmed with my ideas and thoughts of the change I was about to be a part of. Whether it was helping one farmworker or 100, I gave it my all. Getting to work alongside many others with ambition and aspiration is what gets me excited to continue this work because I know I am not alone.