DIY History | Transcribe | Social Justice | Maria Cano Martinez memorial scrapbook, 1976-2005 | 1984-02 El Laberinto Article: ""Maria Martinez's Loving Legacy""

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Maria Cano Martinez memorial scrapbook, 1976-2005

1984-02 El Laberinto Article: ""Maria Martinez's Loving Legacy""

EL LABERINTO
A publication of the Chicano/Indian American Culture Center, The University of Iowa VoL XI, No.1
February 1984

MARIA MARTINEZ'S LOVING LEGACY
There are dreamers who never live to see their dreams fall into play. Then there are those who have no dream and only live day to day.

Maria Cano Martines did not happen to fall into either of these categories. And until her death on August 29,1983, she lived every day to fulfill all her dreams. For main goal was to see that people have had the chance to  be treated fairly, regardless of sex, race, or creed. Almost every day at university hospital, Maria would serve as a Spanish Interpreter for the Hispanic Patients, who could not speak English, to make sure they were treaty properly. But maria's concern for human rights did not end with the work day. Maria belonged to a number of minority advocate organizations.

In memory of Maria, the University of Iowa Chicano/Latino Alumni. Students and Amigos Foundation(C.A.S.A.)has established a scholarship Fund in her name for the promotion of Chicano/Latino cultural understanding through scholarly or extracurricular activities. Through her efforts as the Spanish interpreter for hospital, she worked hard to insure the right of the Spanish-speaking people in Iowa. Maria did not only interpret languages with words and symbols, she interpreted them with love. "Her whole life was an interpretation of love," said the priest who delivered the sermon at her funeral mass.

In addition to her devotion as an interpreter, Maria was also a member of many human rights organizations which included the Pan  American Club, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP). Image( a national organization concerning employment of Hispanics) and the Cuban Refugee Committee. Maria was also President of the league of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)  of Johnson County. Besides her membership in the various organizations, Maria advocated many of the UI special support services activities. "She had energy that put us all to shame." said DR. Rusty Barcelo, assistant dean of academic affairs for the UI. "She was one of the most unselfish person I've ever met," she said. According to Barcelo, Maria gave numerous workshops on Hispanic rights and worked closely with migrant workers in this area. Maria's last honorary award before her death was one of recognition by the Iowa Human Rights Organization for her contributions in 1983.

According to Barcelo, the scholarship fund is still in the growing process. The goal is $12,000 in order to distribute a $500 scholarship a year from just the interest. Barcelo hopes the committee will be awarded to the student who is promoting Chican/Latino cultural understanding   through scholarly or extracurricular activity," said Barcelo.

Maria was suffering from cancer and it was her final wish to return to her homeland in Mexico before she died. "Three weeks after she return to her homeland in Mexico, she passed away,"  said Barcelo. But Maria's dreams live on in all the human rights organizations in which she played such a vital role and still remains an inspiration in the hearts of many.

If you wish to contribute to the Maria Cano Martines  Scholarship Fund, please make your donation payable to: 

The University of Iowa Foundation
Maria Cano Martinez Scholarship Fund 
Alumni Center 
Iowa City, Iowa 52242

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EL LABERINTO A publication of the Chicano/Indian American Culture Center, The University of Iowa VoL XI, No.1 February 1984 MARIA MARTINEZ'S LOVING LEGACY There are dreamers who never live to see their dreams fall into play. Then there are those who have no dream and only live day to day. Maria Cano Martines did not happen to fall into either of these categories. And until her death on August 29,1983, she lived every day to fulfill all her dreams. For main goal was to see that people have had the chance to be treated fairly, regardless of sex, race, or creed. Almost every day at university hospital, Maria would serve as a Spanish Interpreter for the Hispanic Patients, who could not speak English, to make sure they were treaty properly. But maria's concern for human rights did not end with the work day. Maria belonged to a number of minority advocate organizations. In memory of Maria, the University of Iowa Chicano/Latino Alumni. Students and Amigos Foundation(C.A.S.A.)has established a scholarship Fund in her name for the promotion of Chicano/Latino cultural understanding through scholarly or extracurricular activities. Through her efforts as the Spanish interpreter for hospital, she worked hard to insure the right of the Spanish-speaking people in Iowa. Maria did not only interpret languages with words and symbols, she interpreted them with love. "Her whole life was an interpretation of love," said the priest who delivered the sermon at her funeral mass. In addition to her devotion as an interpreter, Maria was also a member of many human rights organizations which included the Pan American Club, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP). Image( a national organization concerning employment of Hispanics) and the Cuban Refugee Committee. Maria was also President of the league of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Johnson County. Besides her membership in the various organizations, Maria advocated many of the UI special support services activities. "She had energy that put us all to shame." said DR. Rusty Barcelo, assistant dean of academic affairs for the UI. "She was one of the most unselfish person I've ever met," she said. According to Barcelo, Maria gave numerous workshops on Hispanic rights and worked closely with migrant workers in this area. Maria's last honorary award before her death was one of recognition by the Iowa Human Rights Organization for her contributions in 1983. According to Barcelo, the scholarship fund is still in the growing process. The goal is $12,000 in order to distribute a $500 scholarship a year from just the interest. Barcelo hopes the committee will be awarded to the student who is promoting Chican/Latino cultural understanding through scholarly or extracurricular activity," said Barcelo. Maria was suffering from cancer and it was her final wish to return to her homeland in Mexico before she died. "Three weeks after she return to her homeland in Mexico, she passed away," said Barcelo. But Maria's dreams live on in all the human rights organizations in which she played such a vital role and still remains an inspiration in the hearts of many. If you wish to contribute to the Maria Cano Martines Scholarship Fund, please make your donation payable to: The University of Iowa Foundation Maria Cano Martinez Scholarship Fund Alumni Center Iowa City, Iowa 52242