The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo (Spanish: Madres de Plaza de Mayo) is an Argentine human rights association formed in response to the crimes committed by the National Reorganization Process, the military dictatorship by Jorge Rafael Videla. Initially, the association worked to find the desaparecidos, people who had disappeared without arrests, trials or judicial process; most were believed dead. They wore white headscarves, which later became an international symbol of the struggle for human rights and the mobilisation of family members, especially women, in public spaces.
The Mothers began demonstrating in the Plaza de Mayo, the public square located in front of the Casa Rosada presidential palace, in the city of Buenos Aires, on 30 April 1977. They petitioned to have their disappeared children, mostly young adults, returned alive.
The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo (Spanish: Asociación Civil Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo) is an organisation which aims at finding the stolen babies, whose mothers were killed during the Junta's dictatorship in 1977. As of April 2025, their efforts have resulted in finding 139 grandchildren, most now young adults.
The Florence STG’s decision to name its cafeteria after these organisations is a profound tribute to their enduring legacy. Prior to the ceremony, a powerful panel discussion titled Democracy Yesterday and Today: The Enduring Legacy of the Madres and Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo took place. The panel explored how the work of the Madres and Abuelas transcended individual efforts, contributing to universal justice and the strengthening of democracy. Their actions have not only shaped Argentina’s path but have also laid the foundation for human rights movements worldwide.
The event featured poignant contributions from key figures in the fight of the Abuelas. Florencia Santucho, an Argentinian film director and human rights activist, shared the powerful story of her brother, Daniel, who was born in captivity during the dictatorship and recently reunited with his biological family after 46 years. Florencia’s documentary, Stolen Identity, which is available on Al Jazeera, tells the painful and inspiring story of her brother’s journey to uncover the truth about his stolen identity.
“The film Stolen Identity, which I co-directed with Rodrigo Vázquez-Salessi, is about my brother Daniel, who found us after 46 years of lies by the policeman who took him away at birth from Cristina Navajas, the mother of my brothers who was desaparecida in 1976 during the last Argentinean dictatorship,” Florencia shared. “Thanks to the Campaign for the Right to Identity run by Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, we were able to reunite, and now we are fighting together to find the other 300 grandchildren.”
The panel also included remarks María Adela Antokoletz, daughter of one of the founders of Madres de Plaza de Mayo, and by Manuel Gonçalves Granada, Member of the Executive Committee of Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Right to Identity (CoNaDI), and restituted grandson by Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo.
On the role of the Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo, Manuel said: “The story of the Abuelas is unique because they were simple housewives who fought for the restitution of their children and grandchildren. Their tireless efforts not only led to the reunion of families, but they also played a crucial role in the restoration of democracy in Argentina.”
Ruth Rubio Marín, EUI Professor and expert in human rights law and transitional justice, who reflected on the legacy of the Madres and Abuelas, also noted: “One of the most powerful aspects of the Madres and Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo movement is how it exemplifies the journey of women from victims to agents of change. These women have taken their individual pain and turned it into a collective cause, transforming their loss into a fight for justice and human dignity that continues to inspire movements worldwide.”
Esteban Octavio Scuzarello, a PhD researcher at the EUI and co-organiser of the event emphasised that while the search for the disappeared continues today, the fight is far from over. “Today, both the Madres and Abuelas continue their work, reminding us that there can be no reconciliation without memory, truth, and justice,” Scuzarello observed.
Sofía Veliz, former Policy Leader Fellow at the Florence STG and co-organiser, concluded the event by stressing the continued importance of public awareness and the ongoing search for the stolen grandchildren.
“The image of the Madres and Abuelas, with their white headscarves, has inspired countless movements. They have led so many fights, and they continue to do so. There is still so much more they can achieve.”
The event concluded with a symbolic toast and the unveiling of a plaque in the newly named Madres y Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo cafeteria at Palazzo Buontalenti in Florence, honouring their enduring legacy. The plaque features a quote by Eduardo Galeano, inspired by their work: “Because they refused to forget in times of compulsory amnesia.”
RESOURCES
Related articles in the EUI Library blog here and in the EUI Latin American Focus Group here.
Watch the documentary “Argentina’s Stolen Identity: A 46-year search for the truth” here.
If you have doubts about your identity or know someone who does, reach out to the Abuelas here.