Mari-Luci Jaramillo (June 19, 1928 – November 20, 2019) was an American educator and diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Honduras from 1977 to 1980. Upon her confirmation, Jaramillo became the first Mexican-American woman to serve as an American ambassador.[2]
Mari-Luci Jaramillo | |
---|---|
United States Ambassador to Honduras | |
In office October 27, 1977 – September 19, 1980 | |
President | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Ralph Elihu Becker |
Succeeded by | Jack R. Binns |
Personal details | |
Born | Mari-Luci Antuna[1] June 19, 1928 Las Vegas, New Mexico |
Died | November 20, 2019 Albuquerque, New Mexico | (aged 91)
Education | New Mexico Highlands University (BA, MEd) University of New Mexico (PhD) |
Jaramillo was native of Las Vegas, New Mexico.[3] While attending school, she worked in her father's shop, shining shoes.[3] Later, she cleaned houses and waited tables in order to help pay for her tuition at New Mexico Highlands University.[3] In 1959, she graduated magna cum laude from Highlands University with a master's degree in education.[3] In 1970, she earned a doctorate from the University of New Mexico.[3] Her doctoral thesis was entitled In-service teacher education in a tri-ethnic community: a participant-observer study.[4]
After graduation, she became an elementary school teacher.[3] Later Jaramillo joined the faculty at the University of New Mexico and served in various roles, including associate dean, vice president, and assistant to the president of the university.[3]
On April 1, 1977, President Carter asked Jaramillo to become the United States Ambassador to Honduras.[3] She served as ambassador from 1977 to 1980.[3] While serving as ambassador, Jaramillo oversaw the Peace Corps program in Honduras.[5]
Since her ambassadorship, Jaramillo has worked for Educational Testing Service and spent several years at The Pentagon.[3][6] She has also served on the board of trustees of the Children's Television Workshop[6] and the Diversity External Advisory Council of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Jaramillo was later a member of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
In 1992, Jaramillo was appointed deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Latin America during the Clinton Administration.[3]
Jaramillo's first marriage to Horacio Ulibarrí ended in divorce after the couple had two sons and a daughter. Her second husband was Heriberto Jaramillo and her third husband was James Elliott.[1][7][8]
Jaramillo died in Albuquerque, New Mexico on November 20, 2019. She was 91.[9]
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