Teresa Romero is a labor leader and immigrant rights advocate who serves as president of the United Farm Workers (UFW), becoming the first Latina — and the first immigrant woman — to lead a national union in the United States. Born in Mexico and later immigrating to the United States, Romero built her career through dedication, discipline, and deep commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of farmworkers, whose labor sustains the nation’s food system, yet who have long faced exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and economic insecurity.
Before becoming UFW president in 2018, Romero worked for years within the union, overseeing operations, negotiating contracts, and helping secure protections around wages, pesticide exposure, heat safety, and overtime. She played a key role in advancing landmark legislation in California that expanded labor rights for farmworkers and strengthened workplace safety standards. Under her leadership, the UFW has continued to organize new workers, support immigration reform, and build coalitions with labor, environmental, and community organizations nationwide.
Romero’s leadership emphasizes empowerment, resilience, and collective action. She has been a strong voice in calling attention to the essential role of farmworkers — especially during times of crisis — and the urgent need to ensure that the people who harvest the nation’s food have access to fair pay, healthcare, legal protections, and respect on the job. Her story reflects the power of immigrant women in shaping labor justice, strengthening democracy, and advancing the fight for equity and human rights for workers everywhere.
