MEO Cesar Chavez Award Goes to Annette Dadez

Annette Dadez with her parents. Courtesy of MEO.

By Sonia Isotov

For her devotion and commitment to the Hispanic community on Maui, Annette Dadez was honored at Maui Economic Opportunity’s 6^th Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration last Friday.

Maui County Councilmember Gladys Baisa was on-hand to read and present her with a proclamation from the County of Maui.

The emcee for this event was Martha Guzman-Flores with a short address by Lyn McNeff, the chief executive officer of MEO. The keynote speaker was Cesar Gaxiola, the chief executive officer of the J. Walter Cameron Center, (and also the 2005-2006 Cesar Chavez co-recipient) who, at times emotionally related his struggles and conditions working on the farms in both Arizona and California.

Maui County Councilmember Gladys Baisa was on hand to read and present her with a proclamation from the County of Maui. Courtesy of MEO.

This years’ recipient, Annette Dadez, has been extremely active in the Hispanic community for the past 8 years. Dadez has continually volunteered at both UH Maui College Spanish department and also various high schools throughout Maui, educating students and encouraging those eager to learn to have a greater appreciation for the Hispanic culture and language.

In her numerous letters of nomination, all writers agreed that Annette is a caring and generous individual who continues to be the model of the late Cesar Chavez, according to a company statement.

Cesar Estrada Chavez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was a Mexican-American labor leader who used non-violent methods to fight for the rights of migrant farm workers in the southwestern USA. Chavez founded and led the first successful farm workers’ union, the United Farm Workers, in US history.