The Argentine human rights activist Rosa Roisinblit has died at the age of 106, as announced by her organization. She was an iconic figure and the honorary president of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, a group dedicated to locating children who were stolen during Argentina's military dictatorship between 1976 and 1983.
In a heartfelt statement, the organization expressed gratitude for her lifelong dedication to seeking justice, 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. It is estimated that around 30,000 people were murdered or disappeared during Argentina's 'Dirty War', and many children were adopted illegally from detained opposition activists.
Born in 1919 in Moises Ville, a community of Jewish immigrants in central Argentina, Roisinblit worked as an obstetrician and moved to Buenos Aires in 1949. Following the abduction of her family during the military coup of 1976, she became involved with the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo, serving in various leadership roles for decades.
Roisinblit's daughter Patricia, her son-in-law José Pérez Rojo, and her granddaughter Mariana were seized by the junta in 1978. After her daughter gave birth in captivity, both Patricia and José were never found. However, Mariana was able to be raised by Rosa. Through persistence, her grandson was ultimately traced and identified, bringing a bittersweet reunion for the family.
Her unwavering pursuit of justice saw her in the courtroom as recently as 2016, witnessing the sentencing of those responsible for the abduction of her family. At an age when many would retire, she remained a fierce advocate for human rights in Argentina, famously stating, This wound never heals... But to say I'm stopping? No, I'll never stop. Her legacy lives on through her family and the continuing work of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo.
Rosa Roisinblit is remembered as a hero who, despite the immense personal loss and trauma, fought tirelessly for the truth and justice of her community. Her passing marks the end of an era for a movement that changed the landscape of human rights in Argentina.
