Rosa Roisinblit, the revered Argentine human rights activist, passed away at the impressive age of 106. She was highly esteemed as an honorary president and a founding member of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, a significant organization dedicated to locating children who were stolen during Argentina's military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983.
The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo expressed their heartfelt gratitude, saying, We only have words of gratitude for her dedication... and the love with which she searched for the grandsons and granddaughters until the very end. During the military regime, approximately 30,000 individuals were killed or forcibly disappeared, with many children of political detainees being taken for illegal adoptions.
Roisinblit was born in 1919 in Moises Ville, a town populated by Jewish immigrants. She worked as an obstetrician, moving to Buenos Aires in 1949 where she later married. After the military coup in March 1976, with the arrest and disappearance of many, including her own family members, she became involved in the Grandmothers group, initially serving as treasurer and later as vice-president.
In a tragic event, her daughter Patricia, son-in-law José Pérez Rojo, and 15-month-old granddaughter Mariana were taken in 1978 as part of the military regime's campaign against dissenters. Despite this heartbreaking loss, Roisinblit showed remarkable resilience, successfully reuniting with her granddaughter years later while continuing her activist work.
Even in her late years, Roisinblit remained committed to seeking justice for her family and for all those impacted by the dictatorship. As she poignantly stated, This wound never heals... But to say I'm stopping? No, I'll never stop. Her unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark on the fight for human rights in Argentina, inspiring countless people and ensuring that the memory of those lost is never forgotten.
Roisinblit’s legacy continues through her grandson Guillermo, a human rights lawyer working alongside the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo. Following her passing, he reflected on her life, expressing both sorrow and comfort in the belief that she has been reunited with her family in spirit.
