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Maria Cano Martinez memorial scrapbook, 1976-2005

1993-05-15 Maria Cano Martinez Service Award Page 1

MARIA CANO MARTINEZ SERVICE AWARD
Presented at the Commencement Ceremony
for Latino Students at the University of Iowa

May 15, 1993.

RECIPIENT: Perry Ramirez
Award presented by Professor Ozzie F. Diaz-Duque.

Buenas noches a todos y felicitaciones a los estudiantes que reciben sus diplomas este fin de semana, y felicitaciones a sus familiaries y amigos aqui presentes.

When I was asked to present the Maria Cano Martinez Service Award I accepted immediately. It was never easy to say no to Maria. I met Maria Martinez in 1974, when in a moment of rare altruism for a twenty-two year old college student, I presented myself at University Hospitals as a potential volunteer. I envisioned myself writing letters for patients, playing with sick children, pushing wheelchairs, and delivering flowers once or twice a month. Instead, I bumped into a 5 foot 2, atomic powered Mexican woman who, in a matter of thirty seconds introduced herself, welcomed me to the hospital with a hug and kiss, evaluated my bilingualism, and sent me to the intensive care unit to interpret for a migrant worker who had been injured any farming accident. She, in turn, rushed to the delivery room to facilitate communication there.

In fact, many of our Latino students who study today at the University of Iowa came into this world aided by the words, “PUJE, PUJE” uttered by Maria Martinez. As for me, well, I never managed to leave University Hospitals after that first encounter with Maria Martinez almost twenty years ago. Because of Maria’s dedication to service, her efforts to insure equality and accessibility in health care for all people, and a profound commitment to our people, today we boast a nationally acclaimed and award-winning Interpreting Services Program. Ten years

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MARIA CANO MARTINEZ SERVICE AWARD Presented at the Commencement Ceremony for Latino Students at the University of Iowa May 15, 1993. RECIPIENT: Perry Ramirez Award presented by Professor Ozzie F. Diaz-Duque. Buenas noches a todos y felicitaciones a los estudiantes que reciben sus diplomas este fin de semana, y felicitaciones a sus familiaries y amigos aqui presentes. When I was asked to present the Maria Cano Martinez Service Award I accepted immediately. It was never easy to say no to Maria. I met Maria Martinez in 1974, when in a moment of rare altruism for a twenty-two year old college student, I presented myself at University Hospitals as a potential volunteer. I envisioned myself writing letters for patients, playing with sick children, pushing wheelchairs, and delivering flowers once or twice a month. Instead, I bumped into a 5 foot 2, atomic powered Mexican woman who, in a matter of thirty seconds introduced herself, welcomed me to the hospital with a hug and kiss, evaluated my bilingualism, and sent me to the intensive care unit to interpret for a migrant worker who had been injured any farming accident. She, in turn, rushed to the delivery room to facilitate communication there. In fact, many of our Latino students who study today at the University of Iowa came into this world aided by the words, “PUJE, PUJE” uttered by Maria Martinez. As for me, well, I never managed to leave University Hospitals after that first encounter with Maria Martinez almost twenty years ago. Because of Maria’s dedication to service, her efforts to insure equality and accessibility in health care for all people, and a profound commitment to our people, today we boast a nationally acclaimed and award-winning Interpreting Services Program. Ten years