аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

Top 15 Facts About Josefa Llanes Escoda

Originally Published by Beatrice J in December 2022 and Updated by Nellian in May 2024.

Josefa Madamba Llanes Escoda, one of the most notable Filipino women whose achievements deserve to be credited, was mostly known for campaigning for women’s suffrage. She was also a world war heroine. She was born on September 20, 1898, in Dingras, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines, and died on January 6, 1945.

She founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and during World War II, Escoda and her husband Antonio Escoda helped the National Federation of Women’s Clubs to provide food, clothing, and money for stranded women, children, and prisoners of war.

She was a certified social worker but went to the United States to further her studies and after graduation; she went for training at the New York School of Social Work. She struggled to achieve her having to step up as the eldest of seven children.

She also lost her father in 1918 and had to balance between helping her mother and studying at the University of the Philippines. Her childhood was not the easiest. When she got recognition she represented the Philippines in speaking engagements in the International House and the Women’s International League for Peace.

She also spent time in the US training young women teachers from the public and private sector to become Girl Scout leaders. She has truly accomplished a lot during her lifetime. Here are the top 15 facts about Josefa Llanes Escoda.

Read more about the 10 most famous Filipinos here.

1. She was the eldest of seven children

Josefa Escoda’s family is quite huge and she had a total of 7 siblings. Her father died in 1918 and her mother was left to fend for the children alone. At the time, Josefa was still studying at the University of the Philippines.

As the eldest, she had a tremendous burden and obligation to take good care of her younger siblings and assist her mother where she could especially financially. Despite being very young she took up the role very well.

2. She was an outstanding student

Photo by Annie Spratt on

When she was still in her younger years, Josefa valued the importance of education. She graduated in 1919 with honors in her teaching degree. She acquired it in the Philippine Normal School in Manila.

3 years later she got her high school teacher’s certificate from the University of the Philippines. She loved studying so much that she became a social worker for the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross.

This opened up opportunities for her like her scholarship to attend Columbia University in the U.S. with a major in Sociology. This opportunity was one of her greatest achievements as it led to other openings in her career.

3. She served as the president of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC)

She started with a humble beginning when she first joined the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC). Her role there was at best secretarial duties which could still be considered an accomplishment. She resumed her responsibilities as executive secretary in 1923 but her future was brighter.

In 1941 she took the position as president of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC) where she served for approximately 3 years. She thereafter pursued a project in New York with other foreign students.

Under her leadership, she enlightened and informed members of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC) on the need and importance of establishing emergency aid centers and food preservation.

4. She graduated as valedictorian from various schools

Photo by RUT MIIT on

Josefa studied at the Dingras Elementary School where she graduated as valedictorian. This was a first of many for her as she also graduated as valedictorian from Laong Provincial High School.

She also graduated honors in 1919 from Philippine Normal College where she earned her teaching degree followed by her teaching certificate from the University of the Philippines. She finally crowned her studies with a masters in sociology from Colombia University in the U.S. and studied more on social work.

5. She was honored with the Google Doodle on September 20, 2018

Josefa Llanes Escoda was honored with a Google Doodle on September 20, 2018. She was ambitious and always prioritized education. She also founded various organizations that have made an impact in the society.

The doodle essentially illustrates the work she did during her lifetime. It represents Josefa with Girl Scouts and from the doodle it is as if she is teaching and guiding them to the right path. According to Google, it is a close portrayal of how Escoda led young Filipinas towards preparing for their responsibilities to the nation and the world community.

6. She has been featured on the 1,000 peso note

The founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, photo by Aerous.

Josefa was selfless and acted as a role model to women all over the world. She was always determined and well-educated. She prioritized education and appreciated its importance.

Her work has been recognized locally and internationally and it has led to Known for her determination and yearning to be educated from a young age, after graduating as valedictorian, Josefa Llanes Escoda joined the Red Cross and her social work led to her being featured on the 1,000 peso note.

7. She founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines

Llanes-Escoda talking to young girls about the Girl Scouts of the Philippines in 1941, photo by Philippines Magazine.

Josefa founded the Girl Scouts in the Philippines in the year 1939 where she taught and molded young people. It was not until 1940 that the Girl Scouts of the Philippines was officially chartered as a national organization.

It took Josefa’s arrival to the Philippines from the U.S. where she had Girl Scout training for the movement to be formed as Girl Scouting had already begun in 1918. Its objective was to encourage and enhance the leadership training of girls and women.

8. She founded Boys Town in Manila

Apart from founding the Girl Scout movement, she also had a hand in founding the Boys Town in Manila. The foundation targeted a group of underprivileged young people. The Boys Town Manila was founded first in 1937 and later, the Girl Scouts in 1940.

President Manuel L. Quezon was impressed with the notable work and was highly influenced to sign the charter of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines which allowed the movement to be recognized as a national organization.

9. She was arrested and tortured

Photo by Weston on

On August 27, 1944, Josefa was ultimately apprehended and imprisoned in Fort Santiago. She had traveled to San Fernando with her husband and doctors. She would normally gather information that would be helpful to families whose loved ones were prisoners of war.

She would always put the needs of others before hers by taking care of them and providing necessities for survival such as food, clothes, and water. On January 6, 1945, Josefa was transported to the Japanese-occupied Far Eastern University, where she was severely tortured and beaten.

She was then taken to a Japanese transport truck, executed, and buried in an unmarked grave. To date people are not sure as to where she was buried, all they could do is mere speculation.

10. Her exact cemetery is unknown

Photo by Diane Picchiottino on

After she was arrested, Josefa was tortured, tortured and executed. She was buried but the location is not known. There have been different versions as to where the exact cemetery can be found. It has been theorized that it is La Loma Cemetery while others assume it is the Manila Chinese Cemetery.

11. Josefa worked with the American Red Cross

After completing her teacher’s certificate studies in 1922, she secured a job as a social worker. She worked with the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross. Her hard work at the Red Cross was honored with a scholarship to the United States.

Subsequently, Josefa pursued a master’s degree in Sociology with the awarded scholarship. She graduated from Columbia University in 1925.

12. She was a champion for women’s rights

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Josefa was a key figure in fighting for women’s suffrage in the Philippines. She mobilized support to ensure women’s voting rights were granted. While working for women’s organizations like the National Federation of Women’s Clubs, she used her position to advance her agenda more. For example, raising awareness through campaigns, and pushing the government for change.

Moreover, her efforts succeeded in 1937 when Filipino women were granted the right to vote. She is appreciated for this historic achievement which opened a door for greater progress in gender equality matters in the Philippines.

13. She was involved in war efforts

During World War II, Escoda and her husband Antonio mobilized volunteers who served as a link between war prisoners and their families. These volunteers carried messages between these groups.

Furthermore, the couple also maintained a record of the prisoners’ names to account for their well-being. They also provided essential items to the prisoners. Besides, they helped stranded students in Manila and put up community kitchens around the city.

During this period, the Japanese Army occupied the Philippines. Thus, once the Japanese authorities discovered their mission, the couple was captured and tortured leading to their execution.

14. Josefa wrote about social issues

She worked alongside her husband at the Manila Daily Bulletin. With this opportunity, Escoda wrote articles and pamphlets centered on civic and social issues. She had a keen interest in issues that touched more on women and children.

15. Her posthumous accolades are testament to her legacy

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Josefa’s legacy lives on through various recognitions. Some of her posthumous awards include Distinguished Alumna in Social Service and Service to Humanity issued by the Philippine Normal College. In her honor is also the Silver Medal from the American Red Cross.

Better still, she received the Medal of Freedom with Gold Leaf for Services to Filipino Prisoners of War from the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The same institution also recognized her with the Philippine Legion of Honor title.

Josefa was indeed courageous and heroic for what she accomplished. She protested against dictatorship and tyranny while taking good care of hundreds of Filipino and American soldiers. She will constantly be remembered as a hero and an inspiration for everyone especially women who are civil rights activists.