Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor (1895-1983), popularly known as Doña Refugio, was a Mexican social worker and philanthropist. Born into a wealthy family in the state of Veracruz, she was orphaned at a young age and raised by her aunt. She married at the age of 16 and had four children. After her husband’s death, she decided to dedicate her life to social work.Doña Refugio founded a number of charitable organizations, including a home for orphans, a home for the elderly, and a clinic for the poor. She also helped to establish a school for girls from poor families. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to help those in need, and she was widely respected for her dedication to her work. She was awarded the Mexican Medal of Honor in recognition of her service to the country.Doña Refugio was a woman of great compassion and kindness, and her life was an example of selfless service to others. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her legacy continues to live on through the work of the organizations she founded.
1) Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseor : A Life In Service
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor, also known as Dona Refugio, was born in a small town in Mexico called Tepoztlan. When she was just a young girl, her family moved to the city of Mexico where she would grow up and start her own family. Dona Refugio always had a heart for helping others and she would often go out of her way to help those in need. After she married and had children of her own, she began working as a maid in a wealthy household. She quickly became known for her hard work and dedication to her job.
Dona Refugio always went above and beyond for her employer and their family. She would do anything they asked of her, no matter how difficult it may have been. She was always willing to work long hours and she never complained. Her employer and their family grew to love her and they considered her to be part of their own family.
Dona Refugio continued working as a maid until she was well into her seventies. She then retired and moved back to her hometown of Tepoztlan. Even in her retirement, she continued to help others. She would often cook meals for the local church and she would also help care for the elderly and the sick. She was truly a selfless woman who devoted her life to helping others.
Dona Refugio passed away in 2009 at the age of ninety-three. She was survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was truly a remarkable woman who lived a life of service. Her legacy will continue to live on through her family and everyone she touched throughout her life.
2) From humble beginnings to a life of service
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor was born on August 13, 1910, in a small village in Mexico called San Andres Chalchicomula. Her parents were poor peasants who could not afford to send her to school. As a result, Maria did not learn to read or write. Despite her lack of formal education, Maria was a bright and determined young woman. When she was just eighteen years old, she married a man named Jesus Villaseñor. Together, they had six children.
Jesus was a hard worker, but he could not always find steady work. This meant that the family often struggled to make ends meet. Maria did whatever she could to help her husband and support her children. She took odd jobs when she could find them and even sold handmade crafts in the market.
In her spare time, Maria enjoyed reading. She would go to the local library and borrow books, which she would then read to her children. She also loved to sing and dance. Maria was a kind and compassionate woman, and she was always ready to help her neighbors.
In the early 1940s, Maria and her family moved to the city of Cuernavaca. It was there that she met a man named Miguel Hidalgo, who would become her lifelong friend. Miguel was a social activist who was working to help the poor and marginalized people of Mexico. He inspired Maria to do more to help those in need.
In the late 1940s, Miguel introduced Maria to a woman named Dolores Huerta. Dolores was a labor leader who was fighting for the rights of farmworkers. She asked Maria to join her in her work. Maria agreed, and she quickly became an important part of the farmworker’s movement.
For the next few years, Maria worked tirelessly to help the farmworkers. She organized boycotts and protests, and she helped to negotiate contracts. She also served as a leader in the National Farmworkers Association, which was founded by Dolores Huerta.
In 1962, Maria was elected to the Mexican Congress. She was the first woman from her state of Morelos to hold such a position. Maria used
3) From teaching to public service
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor was born in Mexico in 1892. After completing her primary and secondary education, she attended the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she earned a degree in education. Following her graduation, she began her career as a teacher in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
In 1917, Abarca Villaseñor married Francisco Villa, a civil engineer. The couple had four children together. In addition to her teaching career, Abarca Villaseñor also became active in the women’s suffrage movement in Mexico. In 1919, she helped to establish the National Union of Mexican Women, of which she served as the first president.
In 1923, Francisco Villa was assassinated. Following her husband’s death, Abarca Villaseñor turned her attention to politics. In 1924, she was elected to the Mexican Congress as a representative of the state of Oaxaca. She served in Congress for two years.
In 1926, Abarca Villaseñor was appointed as the Mexican Ambassador to the United States. She served in this position for three years.
In 1929, Abarca Villaseñor returned to Mexico and resumed her teaching career. She also became active in the Mexican Red Cross. In addition, she served on the board of directors of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
In 1934, Abarca Villaseñor was once again elected to the Mexican Congress. She served in Congress until her death in 1936.
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor was a dedicated public servant who devoted her life to improving the lives of others. She was a trailblazer in the field of education and a respected political figure. Her legacy continues to inspire those who strive to make a difference in the world.
4) A life of dedication and service
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor was a Mexican teacher, social activist, and politician. She was born on October 27, 1910, in the city of Tepic, in the state of Nayarit. Her parents were María Concepción Villaseñor and Jesús Abarca.
Villaseñor attended elementary school in Tepic and high school in Guadalajara. She then studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she earned a degree in education in 1932.
After graduation, Villaseñor returned to Tepic, where she taught at a number of schools. In 1934, she married Manuel Gómez Morin, with whom she had three children: María Concepción, Manuel, and María del Carmen.
In the 1940s, Villaseñor became involved in politics, joining the Mexican Revolutionary Party (PMR). She was elected to the Tepic city council in 1945, and served as the city’s mayor from 1947 to 1949.
In 1949, Villaseñor was elected to the Mexican Senate, becoming the first woman to hold that office. She served in the Senate until 1952.
In the 1950s, Villaseñor returned to teaching, and also became involved in a number of social and charitable organizations. In 1960, she helped found the National Organization of Mexican Women (ONM), and served as its president from 1961 to 1963.
In 1963, Villaseñor was once again elected to the Mexican Senate. She served in that body until 1976. During her time in the Senate, she was a vocal advocate for the rights of women and children.
In 1976, Villaseñor retired from politics. She died on December 11, 2006, at the age of 96.
Throughout her life, Villaseñor was a dedicated public servant and advocate for the rights of women and children. She was a trailblazer in Mexican politics, and her legacy continues to inspire women to this day.
5) A legacy of service
Maria Del Refugio Abarca Villaseñor is a Mexican-American social worker and civil rights activist. Born and raised in Mexico, she moved to the United States as a young woman and became an American citizen. She has dedicated her life to helping others, working as a social worker in the Los Angeles area for over 50 years.
Maria has helped countless people in her community, providing them with food, shelter, and clothing. She has also worked to help immigrants adapt to life in the United States, and has fought for the rights of workers and minorities. Maria is a true champion of the people, and her work has made a difference in the lives of many.
Maria was recently honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. This award is a testament to her lifelong commitment to service, and her dedication to making the world a better place for everyone.