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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-30/josefa-llanes-escoda.webp" alt="A portrait oil painting of a smiling Filipino woman, Josefa Llanes Escoda, wearing a traditional green terno with white embroidery. Her dark hair is styled back, and she wears drop earrings, set against a textured green background." loading="lazy" />
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Portrait painting of Josefa Llanes Escoda, Filipino social worker and World War II heroine, wearing a traditional green terno.
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</figure>

<h2>
Early Life and Academic Distinction in Ilocos Norte
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Josefa Llanes y Madamba (affectionately nicknamed "Pepa") was born during the transformative months following the Philippine Declaration of Independence. She was the eldest of seven children born to Gabriel Llanes and Mercedes Madamba. Raised in a household that prioritized faith, education, and civic responsibility, Josefa distinguished herself academically from an early age:


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Primary &amp; Secondary Honors: She graduated as valedictorian from Dingras Elementary School and salutatorian from Ilocos Norte Provincial High School in Laoag.
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Teacher Training: Moving to Manila, she earned her teaching degree with honors from the Philippine Normal School (now Philippine Normal University) in <time datetime="1919">1919</time>.
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Secondary Education Certificate: While working as a schoolteacher, she continued her studies at the <a href="/kauswagan/articles/1188/today-in-philippine-history-june-18-1908-the-university-of-the-philippines-was-established" class="news_link">University of the Philippines</a>, earning a High School Teacher's Certificate in <time datetime="1922">1922</time>.
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Tragedy struck her family in <time datetime="1918">1918</time> when her father died during the global influenza pandemic, thrusting greater responsibility onto Josefa as the eldest child. Undeterred, she committed herself to social work and joined the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross.

<h2>
Studies at Columbia University and Cultural Advocacy Abroad
</h2>

Recognizing her talent and dedication, the American Red Cross awarded Escoda a scholarship to pursue advanced studies in the United States:

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Higher Education in New York: In <time datetime="1925">1925</time>, she completed her Master's Degree in Sociology at Columbia University, alongside certification from the New York School of Social Work.
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Cultural Ambassador: During her stay in the U.S., Escoda proudly wore the traditional Filipiniana (baro't saya) at international conventions and academic gatherings, using every platform to educate foreign audiences about Philippine culture, society, and the nation's readiness for self-governance.
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Meeting Antonio Escoda: While attending the Women's International League for Peace conference in <time datetime="1925">1925</time>, she met Antonio Escoda, a reporter for the Philippine Press Bureau. The two married upon returning to Manila and went on to have two children, Maria Teresa and Maria Luisa.
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<h2>
Championing Women's Suffrage and Social Welfare
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Upon returning to the Philippines, Escoda accepted teaching posts at several institutions, including Jose Rizal College and the University of the Philippines, while stepping into leadership roles in national social welfare programs.

Josefa Llanes Escoda: Life, Legacy & WWII Martyrdom

Discover the heroic life of Josefa Llanes Escoda—founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, champion of women’s suffrage, and honored WWII martyr.

September 20, 1898: Josefa Llanes Escoda was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte