{"id":356746,"date":"2025-12-18T21:12:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/356746\/"},"modified":"2025-12-18T21:12:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:12:17","slug":"napa-girl-succeeds-in-mission-to-move-cesar-chavez-dolores-huerta-statues-to-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/356746\/","title":{"rendered":"Napa girl succeeds in mission to move Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta statues to spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lea el art\u00edculo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed.<\/a><\/p>\n

Four years ago, Mia Alonso Mendez initiated her quest<\/a> to get the nine-foot statues of legendary labor movement leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta<\/a> moved from their spot high up on the facade of a building in downtown Napa to a more prominent location in the city.<\/p>\n

All of eight at the time, she was disheartened to see the statues of her heroes blend into the brick wall behind them without any signage or due recognition.<\/p>\n

In Napa, a region that thrives on its world-renowned wine, Mendez wanted the hard work of farmworkers like her grandfather to be recognized. She wanted children in the community to see the statues of Chavez and Huerta so they could learn about the civil rights icons\u2019 contributions to workers\u2019 rights.<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez,12, delicately holds the original artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta created by artist Mario Chiodo, background, at Chiodo\u2019s warehouse studio, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move nine foot statues of the farmworkers to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Artist<\/p>\n

Artist Mario Chiodo signs the original artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta before presenting it to Mia Alonso Mendez, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Refurbished<\/p>\n

Refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of Napa artist and sculptor Mario Chiodo, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez, 12, poses for a photo by her mom, by statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez,12, thanks artist Mario Chiodo, for the artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, created by Chiodo, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move nine foot statues of the farmworkers to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. At right is mom Yessenia Mendez. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez, 12, takes a closer look at refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez, 12, with her mom Yessenia , tears up as she takes her first look at refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move the statues to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. Chiodo is the original sculptor. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Artist<\/p>\n

Artist Mario Chiodo presents the original artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta to Mia Alonso Mendez, 12, and mom Yessenia Mendez at Chiodo\u2019s warehouse studio, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. The younger Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move nine foot statues of the farmworkers to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Mia<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez, 12, tears up, as she takes her first look at refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move the statues to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. At left is her mom Yessenia Mendez. Chiodo is the original sculptor. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

\"Artist<\/p>\n

Artist Mario Chiodo, left, has his photograph made with Mia Alonso Mendez,12, and her mom Yessenia Mendez in front of refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, created by Chiodo. Wednseday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. The younger Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move nine foot statues of the farmworkers to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. Chiodo stepped in to refinish the statues. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 10<\/p>\n

Mia Alonso Mendez,12, delicately holds the original artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta created by artist Mario Chiodo, background, at Chiodo\u2019s warehouse studio, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move nine foot statues of the farmworkers to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, after writing letters to local officials, presenting at multiple public meetings and sharing her idea directly with Huerta at a Healdsburg community event earlier this year, she has succeeded. Early next year, the statues will be placed inside the Soscol Avenue office of Puertas Abiertas, a nonprofit that has served as the go-to resource hub for the city\u2019s Latino community since 2005.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I first found out they were being moved to Puertas Abiertas, I had mixed emotions,\u201d Mendez said. \u201cMy original idea was for them to be in a public space like a park. But the more I thought about it, I came to the realization that it was a great spot for them, considering all the work the organization does to help the Latino community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MiaMia Alonso Mendez, 12, poses for a photo by her mom, by statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

For the nonprofit, bringing the statues into the office aligns with its vision of creating the county\u2019s first Latino Cultural Center at the new 6,000 square-foot space they moved into this year<\/a>, interim executive director Esmeralda Gil said. The center seeks to be a space where Latino history, art, culture, and advocacy can be celebrated, preserved, and learned from.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis statue represents both a tribute and a call to action, especially at a time when our immigrant and Latino communities are facing profound challenges,\u201d she said. \u201cIt will stand as a reminder of the history \u2014 and of all the work we still have ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chavez and Huerta, co-founders of the United Farm Workers, were pivotal figures in the farm labor movement during the 1960s and \u201970s. Their leadership in organizing strikes, such as the Delano grape strike in 1965, and boycotts drew national attention to the exploitation of farmworkers and led to landmark victories in securing better wages, safer working conditions and union contracts.<\/p>\n

The story of the statues<\/p>\n

About a decade ago, retired developer Michael Holcomb commissioned his friend, critically acclaimed sculptor Mario Chiodo<\/a>, to create the statues of Chavez and Huerta. In 2015, they were installed on the facade of a commercial building on Main Street that he then owned.<\/p>\n

\"MiaMia Alonso Mendez, 12, tears up, as she takes her first look at refurbished statues of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta at the studio of artist Mario Chiodo. Mendez pushed Napa city officials in 2024 to move the statues to a more central location in Napa, from their perch above a downtown business. At left is her mom Yessenia Mendez. Chiodo is the original sculptor. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

After he sold the building, his contract with the new owner said the statues could either stay where they were originally installed or be sold back to Holcomb for $1 if they were moved. Last November, Holcomb told The Press Democrat he was not opposed to moving them but did not want them displayed in a place where they could be vandalized, especially given their price of $100,000.<\/p>\n

Months later, prompted by Mendez\u2019s advocacy, Holcomb bought the statues back and donated them to Puertas Abiertas. When that happened, the organization \u2014 which had been following Mendez\u2019s work \u2014 got in touch with her and asked her to be involved in the process.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer dedication to ensuring that this important piece of Latino history found a meaningful and accessible home resonated deeply with our mission,\u201d Gil said. \u201cSeeing Mia\u2019s determination come full circle has been profoundly inspiring. Her advocacy reflects so much courage, persistence, and the belief that collective action can transform communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ArtistArtist Mario Chiodo signs the original artists proof of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta before presenting it to Mia Alonso Mendez, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Napa. (Kent Porter \/ The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n

The organization facilitated a meeting between Mendez and the artist at his studio Wednesday. With the statues having been brought there for restoration before they are moved to Puertas Abiertas\u2019 office, she also got the opportunity to see the artwork up close and personal \u2014 a moment that brought tears to her eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cI like your fortitude and courage,\u201d Chiodo told her, as he spontaneously gifted her the \u201cartist proof\u201d, the initial casting, of the statues.<\/p>\n

While Puertas works to raise $10,000 to cover maintenance costs for the statues, Mendez is planning to invite Huerta to witness the big move next year.<\/p>\n

And with this endeavor complete, Mendez \u2014 a 7th-grader at Unidos Middle School \u2014 said she plans to now focus on her academics, volleyball and gymnastics. But, if she notices something that doesn\u2019t seem OK in the community, she will jump on it and make it her next cause, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really hope there isn\u2019t another one right away. I\u2019m ready for a little break,\u201d her mother Yessenia laughed. \u201cThrough this journey, I didn\u2019t know if people were going to support her. With the world we live in right now, it\u2019s scary. But I know she\u2019s always going to be the kid that fights to do the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lea el art\u00edculo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed. Four years ago, Mia Alonso Mendez initiated her quest to get the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":356747,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56],"tags":[228,226,227,176782,229,86247,88,176783,176784],"class_list":{"0":"post-356746","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-cesar-chavez","12":"tag-design","13":"tag-dolores-huerta","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-huerta-chavez-statues","16":"tag-napa-statues"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}