Susana Trimarco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susana Trimarco
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Susana Trimarco (left)
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| Born |
Sara Susana del Valle Trimarco de Veron
1954 (age 70–71) Tucumán, Argentina
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| Nationality | Argentinian |
| Occupation | Activist |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Verón (1975–2010) |
| Children | María de los Ángeles |
| Awards | Women of Courage in 2007 Premio Cristo Rey in 2008 Premio Sarmiento in 2011 |
Susana Trimarco (born 1954) is an Argentinian activist who works for human rights. She is known around the world for her efforts to fight against people being forced into labor and other bad situations. She also works to expose corruption.
In 2002, her daughter disappeared. It is believed her daughter was kidnapped by a group that forces people into labor. Susana spent many years looking for her daughter. She also started a special foundation to help other young people who have been forced into bad situations. Her work helped bring attention to problems in Argentina's government. This led to a new law in 2011 that stopped certain kinds of advertisements in newspapers and magazines.
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About Susana Trimarco
Susana Trimarco's daughter, Marita (whose full name is María de los Ángeles), was kidnapped on April 3, 2002. This happened in San Miguel de Tucumán, a city in Argentina. Marita was a young mother with a two-year-old girl. She was going to a doctor's appointment when, a witness said, she was pulled into a red car. People believe she was forced into a difficult situation.
To find her daughter, Susana Trimarco started visiting places where she thought Marita might be. She even dressed up to blend in. She received threats and false clues that tried to stop her search. Her investigations helped free other young women who were being held against their will. However, her daughter Marita is still missing.
In 2007, Susana started the Fundación María de los Ángeles (which means "María of the Angels Foundation"). This foundation helps rescue kidnapped girls and young women in Argentina. The foundation says it has helped hundreds of people become free.
In 2012, Susana Trimarco spoke in court during a trial. Thirteen people, including police officers, were accused of kidnapping Marita Veron. At first, all the people accused were found not guilty in December 2012.
A week later, Susana met with Argentina's president. Steps were then taken against the three judges who made the first decision. In December 2013, ten of the original thirteen people were found guilty. They were convicted of kidnapping Marita Verón and forcing her into exploitation.
Her Impact and Awards
New Laws
Susana Trimarco's work has shown the public how serious the problem of forced labor is. It also highlighted issues of corruption among officials and how some groups seemed to get away with these crimes. Because of her efforts, Argentina passed a law in 2007. This law made kidnapping and forcing people into exploitation a federal crime. The law also created a "Rescue Office" to help victims with legal support.
In 2008, Susana's work led to another law in Argentina that made forced labor illegal. This law helped rescue 3,000 people from these situations in Argentina. In 2011, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner put a new rule into action called "Rubro 59." This rule stopped certain advertisements in newspapers and magazines. For the first time, the Ministry of Security found out that police forces were involved in these illegal groups.
Awards and Recognition
On March 8, 2007, the U.S. Department of State honored Susana Trimarco. She received the International Women of Courage Award from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The award recognized her bravery. It said that Susana Trimarco faced danger and threats while trying to find her daughter. She even put herself in risky situations, looking for anyone who might know where her daughter was. Despite false leads and threats, she found proof of groups forcing people into labor in different parts of Argentina. Thanks to her, this issue gained public and government attention in Argentina. Victims were also encouraged to report these crimes.
The Argentinian national senate also honored Susana Trimarco. She received the Premio Domingo Faustino Sarmiento for her work in promoting human rights.
On March 14, 2012, the Canadian government also honored Ms. Trimarco. She received the John Diefenbaker Defender of Human Rights and Freedom Award.
Susana Trimarco was even nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
Media and Storytelling
The TV show Vidas Robadas ("Stolen Lives") was inspired by Marita's case.
Susana Trimarco was also the main subject of a 2009 documentary film. It was called Fragmentos de una Búsqueda (Fragments of a Search).
An episode of the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in season 16 was also inspired by Susana's story. It was called "Undercover Mother."
See also
- Human rights in Argentina
