Nancy Bray, a retired teacher and lifelong activist, continues to share her experiences as an advocate for immigrants and social justice, according to an April 14 announcement. Now 75 years old, Bray has spent more than three decades working in education and community organizing in Eugene.
Bray’s work is significant because it highlights the importance of local activism in supporting immigrant families and promoting multicultural education. Her ongoing efforts to educate others about the history of farmworker movements aim to inspire new generations of activists.
During a recent walk through Westmoreland Park, Bray discussed her involvement with projects such as organizing social-justice-themed murals with her neighborhood association and maintaining educational kiosks about native plants. She recalled her early activism beginning with volunteering at migrant farmworker camps as a teenager before joining the United Farm Workers movement led by figures like César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. “I’ve always had this really strong feeling about what’s right and what is not right,” she said.
After returning from work with the UFW in California, Bray became involved locally through groups like Eugene Friends of the Farmworkers. She later dedicated much of her career to Springfield Public Schools as a reading interventionist focused on English language learners. Paul Weill, former curriculum coordinator for Springfield schools, credited Bray’s dedication: “When we met in team meetings … she knew all the families that they were talking about, and the kids… And that’s a lot of schools to keep track of.”
Bray also worked closely with Guadalupe Quinn to organize events such as the Lane County Latino Family Conference aimed at supporting immigrant families. Quinn said: “She thought about everything.” In retirement, Bray has loaned artifacts from past labor movements to museums for upcoming exhibitions while continuing public talks on local history.
Reflecting on recent controversies involving historical figures within these movements, Marshall Ganz—whose statement was shared by Bray—said: “César Chávez was a flawed human being of genuine and historic consequence who caused profound harm: harm that demands accountability… Our challenge now is not to choose between the good and the harm but to hold both unflinchingly.” Quinn added regarding Bray’s impact: “She’s an amazing ally who has never walked away… Our community… needs to know they’re not alone.”
