Josefa Llanes Escoda, founder of the Girl Scout of the Philippines , is executed together with other Filipinos who have resisted Japanese Occupation during World War II, January 31, 1945.
Great civic leader, social worker, suffragette and war heroine, Pepa, as she was affectionately called, was born on September 20, 1898 in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.
She was last seen on January 29, 1945. She was then apparently taken and held in one of the Far Eastern University buildings occupied by the Japanese. It was presumed that she was executed on January 31. It was assumed that her body lies in a common grave in the North Cemetery or Chinese Cemetery together with others who were executed.
Stamp issued last May 31, 1973, 15s - Singles, Sheets of 100.
In recognition of her outstanding achievements and dedicated service to humanity, she was named Distinguished Alumna in the field of social service, and a diploma of honor in recognition of her signal achievements was conferred on her posthumously in 1951 by the Philippine Normal College. The American Red Cross posthumously awarded silver medal, the biggest honor given by the organization. In May 1948, the U.S. Army and Navy awarded Josefa and her husband posthumously the Medal of Freedom with gold leaf, for her services to the Filipino prisoners of World War II. The Armed Forces of the Philippines awarded her the Philippine Legion of Honor Medal.
Josefa Llanes Escoda, the “Florence Nightingale of the Philippines,” died a heroine. A Street and a building have been named after her and a monument has been dedicated to her memory.
Featured at Php1,000.00 Banknote from Banko Sentral & New Generation Series. And stamp issued last May 31, 1973, 15s - Singles, Sheets of 100.
