María Robles: An Activist Dedicated to Families and Workers in San Luis

On the streets of San Luis, Arizona, the legacy of César Chávez lives on through the women of the movement. Women like María Robles, founder of We Are Somos, who dedicates herself to supporting her community day after day.

We Are Somos was born in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, when María saw the need to formalize decades of community work. Since then, it has become an essential source of support for farmworkers and families across Yuma County.

María Robles delivers a speech at the United for Justice Rally on César Chávez Day, March 31, 2025.

“Activism runs in our blood. Our parents taught us to serve the community and to recognize the value of every person,” María says. Her husband, Juan Robles, grew up in the farmworker movement alongside César Chávez, and together they transformed that legacy into a permanent commitment to San Luis, Arizona. Through We Are Somos, they have organized the distribution of masks, food, and community workshops, always with a transparent and accountable approach.

RAZE staff donate school supplies to We Are Somos to assist adults pursuing their GED education. August 2025.

Most recently, the group has been collecting school supplies for students who wish to pursue their GED.

Today, the organization also stands in solidarity with those facing fear and insecurity, regardless of their immigration status. “Workers are very afraid, with or without documents. One woman told me she was terrified of going to work and not coming home to her children. That fear leaves them extremely stressed; they don’t feel safe in any way. That’s why they know they can come here to get accurate information.”

For María, information is power. “People need to hear what’s right, what documents to have on them [at all times], and how to prepare. That gives them more peace of mind to face whatever comes their way.”

The legacy of César Chávez remains at the center of her mission. From the César Chávez Historic Center, We Are Somos promotes adult education programs and honors the life of a leader who transformed the labor history of the country. In March 2024, Governor Katie Hobbs issued Arizona’s first-ever official proclamation recognizing March 31 as César Chávez Day, and invited María to be part of the ceremony. It was a moment that validated both the importance of her work and the voice of her community.

As a Latina woman in a rural community with limited resources, María takes pride in achieving so much with what she has. “Women are unstoppable. There’s no barrier we can’t cross,” she affirms. Her dream is to see San Luis with a community theater, a space where new generations can share their stories and strengthen their cultural identity.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, the life of María Robles shows that leadership is born from empathy, organization, and the conviction that ¡sí se puede!