Josefa escoda biography
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Her founding of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines stands as a lasting testament to her vision for empowering young women and fostering leadership.
Throughout her life, Josefa wore many hats – educator, social worker, women’s rights advocate, and wartime hero. She should always be remembered and used as a model and inspiration for those women who are motivated to do what is right and civil.
click hereKey Positions and Roles
Throughout her career, Josefa held several significant positions that allowed her to make substantial contributions to Philippine society.
She also founded the Boys’ Town in Manila for underprivileged boys and the National Federation of Women’s Clubs. If you happen to survive, and I fail, tell our people that the women of the Philippines did their part also in making the ember sparks of truth and liberty alive till the last moment."
Josefa Llanes Escoda's husband Antonio was arrested in June 1944, and Josefa Llanes Escoda was also arrested two months later on 27 August. She was incarcerated in Fort Santiago, sharing the same facility as her spouse, Antonio Escoda, who faced execution in 1944 alongside General Vicente Lim, a fellow detainee.
On August 27, 1944, she was arrested and imprisoned in Fort Santiago where she and Antonio were reported to have been interrogated and executed.
Every September 20, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines pays homage to Josefa Llanes Escoda by celebrating her birth anniversary with activities that would create further awareness of her martyrdom and contribution to youth development.
History of Girl Scout Movement | Girl Scouting in the Philippines | Girl Scouting in San Pablo City
Josefa Llanes Escoda: The Founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines
Josefa Llanes Escoda stands as a towering figure in Philippine history, known for her unwavering commitment to social reform, women’s rights, and youth development.
It was also her practice to wear a Filipiniana dress during her lecture tours to arouse foreigner’s interest in Philippines.
During her first trip to the United States, while she was at the Women's International League for Peace (1925), she met Antonio Escoda, a reporter from the Philippine Press Bureau whom she later married.
Afterwards, she returned to the Philippines to train young women to become Girl Scout leaders, then proceeded to organize the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. As the eldest of seven children, Josefa had great responsibilities to her Christian life as well as to her family and herself. However, her efforts in civic rights were interrupted by the Japanese occupation that began in 1941.
I have acted as guarantors not only for the sake of humanity but also to encourage them to fight again. They had two children: Maria Theresa (who later became President of the Cultural Center of the Philippines during Pres.Corazon Aquino's Administration); and Antonio, Jr.
She returned to the United States again in 1933 to undergo training in Girl Scouting sponsored by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
While in the United States, Josefa joined a group of foreign students who wholeheartedly supported an International House project in New York.
She utilized the members of the NFWC to connect prisoners of war and their families in Manila. Once the city of Bataan was surrendered by the U.S. to the Japanese, Josefa and her husband, Antonio, made a trip to San Fernando with a group of doctors and came back with the names of war prisoners and their relatives’ information. She attended the Women’s International League for Peace in 1925, where she met Antonio Escoda, her future husband.
In 1944, however, Japanese undercover agents began to suspect Josefa and Antonio of their contributions to the resistance, and her husband left Manila with General Vincente Lim to meet U.S. General MacArthur in Australia. She became a social worker for the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross, earning a scholarship to attend Columbia University in the U.S.
in 1925 with a major in Sociology. She educated members of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC) on setting up emergency aid centers and food preservation. Josefa (or Pepa, her nickname as a child) grew up with an instilled idea of the true Christian service. In each role, she demonstrated exceptional courage, intelligence, and compassion.
On 26 May 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon signed the charter of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Her story continues to be taught in schools and commemorated in various ways, serving as a powerful reminder of the courage and dedication required to stand up for one’s principles in the face of adversity.
Here’s a table summarizing the key areas of Josefa Llanes Escoda’s lasting impact:
| Area of Impact | Description |
|---|---|
| Youth Development | Ongoing influence through the Girl Scouts of the Philippines |
| Women’s Empowerment | Inspiration for contemporary women’s rights movements |
| Social Reform | Model for effective social change and advocacy |
| Education | Continued emphasis on education as a tool for empowerment |
| Patriotism | Symbol of selfless service and sacrifice for the nation |
Conclusion
Josefa Llanes Escoda’s life story is one of remarkable achievement, unwavering dedication, and profound impact.