Rosa Maria Escude de Findlay
"Mrs. de Findlay’s
service to the Latino/Hispanic population of Iowa represents
her altruistic willingness to assist others in a variety of capacities.
She goes where the need is no matter how difficult the situation
or demands on her time."
—Dr. Victoria L. Robinson, 1997
Rosa
Maria Escudé de Findlay of Cedar Falls has been serving
the Latino population of Iowa and working to advance the understanding
of and appreciation for Latino/Hispanic culture throughout the
state for 35 years. After moving to Iowa in 1964, de Findlay
established networks, programs, and contacts to assist the Latino/Hispanic
population in becoming U.S. citizens and in understanding U.S.
culture, often times serving as a mentor to immigrants to the
U.S. In 1997, de Findlay served as an observer for three days
when 156 workers were detained by the Immigration and Naturalization
Services (INS) in Newton. While recognizing the authority of
the law, de Findlay never forgot the human emotions and struggles
of those who were detained, and she performed the role of translator
and ombudsperson for many Latino/Hispanic immigrants. She ensured
that they understood their rights, their lawyers, and their judge
and had adequate facilities. In addition to her efforts in easing
the pain of deportation, de Findlay volunteers up to nine hours
per time of service as an interpreter for Black Hawk County hospitals,
police headquarters, and various agencies. She also gives educational
presentations, workshops, and programs about the Latino/Hispanic
culture and has served on the Lt. Governor's Diversity Committee.
She serves on the Cedar Falls Human Rights Commission and is
a member of the Dubuque Archdiocese Board of Education. De Findlay
has served as a Spanish teacher, at all grade levels, for the
University of Northern Iowa at Price Laboratory School for 35
years. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1936, de Findlay raised
two children, who are following in her footsteps as community
volunteers. She was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame
in 1999.
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