Paquita Sauquillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paquita Sauquillo
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April 2010
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| Member of the European Parliament | |
| In office 1994–2004 |
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| Constituency | Spain |
| Deputy of the Assembly of Madrid | |
| In office 1983–1994 |
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| Senator of the Cortes Generales | |
| In office 1983–1994 |
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| Constituency | by designation of the Assembly of Madrid |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francisca Sauquillo Pérez del Arco
31 July 1943 Madrid, Spain |
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| Spouse | Jacobo Echeverría-Torres Tovar |
| Relatives | Francisco Javier Sauquillo (brother) |
| Alma mater | Complutense University of Madrid |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
| Awards | Great Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity (2010) |
Francisca "Paquita" Sauquillo Pérez del Arco (born 31 July 1943) is a Spanish lawyer and politician. She is well-known for her work as a lawyer helping workers. She also fought for democratic freedoms during the time when Francisco Franco was in charge of Spain.
Paquita Sauquillo has held several important political roles. She was a representative in the Assembly of Madrid from 1983 to 1994. She also served as a Senator from 1983 to 1994. Later, she became a member of the European Parliament from 1994 to 2004. Since 1985, she has led an organization called the Movement for Peace, Disarmament, and Freedom (MPDL). In 2016, she started leading the Commission of Historical Memory for the City Council of Madrid.
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Paquita Sauquillo's Early Life and Legal Work
Paquita Sauquillo was born in Madrid, Spain, on July 31, 1943. She was the oldest of three children. Her younger brother, Javier, was also a lawyer. Sadly, he died in a terrible event called the 1977 Atocha massacre in 1977. Paquita was supposed to be there but was meeting with other lawyers at a different place.
Fighting for Rights as a Lawyer
In the 1960s, Paquita became involved with Christian groups. She worked in a poor neighborhood in Madrid, helping people. She became a lawyer in 1966. She helped create one of the first law firms in Madrid that focused on workers' rights. This firm was known as the "Despacho de Lista."
She defended many workers and union members. She also helped students and politicians who were facing legal problems. She fought for basic human rights in court.
Helping Victims of the Toxic Oil Syndrome
After Spain became a democracy, Paquita also worked on civil and family law cases. She even wrote a book about divorce law. A very important case she worked on started in 1981. She advised and defended over 3,000 people who got sick from contaminated cooking oil. This event was known as the Toxic oil syndrome. Her work in this case helped create new laws to protect public health.
Paquita Sauquillo's Political Journey
In the late 1960s, Paquita joined a secret union group. This group later helped form the Workers' Revolutionary Organization (ORT). She was a member of this group for 14 years. In 1979, she ran for mayor of Madrid but did not win.
Joining the Socialist Party
Later, she teamed up with the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In 1983, she was elected to the Assembly of Madrid. She continued to serve in this role for many years. In 1987, she officially joined the PSOE party.
Serving in the Spanish and European Parliaments
While in the Madrid Assembly, she was also chosen to be a Senator for Spain. She served in the Spanish Senate until 1994. As a Senator, she worked on important laws, including those about the justice system.
From 1994 to 2004, Paquita was a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). This meant she helped make laws for all of Europe. She left her positions in the Madrid Assembly and the Spanish Senate when she became an MEP. She also served on the main leadership team of the PSOE party from 1994 to 2000.
Since 1985, she has been the president of the Movement for Peace, Disarmament, and Freedom. This group works to promote peace around the world.
Continued Public Service
From 2005 to 2013, Paquita led the Council of Consumers and Users of Spain. This group protects the rights of consumers. She is also a leader in other organizations that promote volunteering and social causes.
Since 2016, she has been in charge of the Commission of Historical Memory for the City Council of Madrid. This commission works to remember and honor the past, especially events from Spain's history.
Paquita Sauquillo's Personal Life
On July 16, 1969, Paquita married Jacobo Echeverría-Torres Tovar, who was also a lawyer and activist. They had two sons, Javier and Jacobo.
In 1998, their son Javier, who was ill, had a health emergency in the Madrid Metro. Sadly, he was not given proper help right away by security guards. He later died in the hospital. Paquita and her family fought for justice. In 2002, a court ruled that the Metro's security chief and two guards failed to help Javier. The Metro and the security company had to pay money to the family. This case highlighted the importance of providing help in emergencies.
Awards and Recognitions
Paquita Sauquillo has received many awards for her dedication and work:
- European Women's Award (1993)
- Silver Rose Award (2006)
- Spanish Citizens' Award (2008)
- European Citizens' Prize (2009)
- Medal of Honor of the Bar Association (2009)
- Lawyers of Atocha Award (2009)
- Great Cross of the Civil Order of Social Solidarity (2010)
- Human Rights Award (2015)
- Luis Cabrejas Freedom Award (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Paquita Sauquillo para niños
