Estela de Carlotto

Enriqueta Estela Barnes de Carlotto, born on October 22, 1930, in Buenos Aires, is a prominent Argentine human rights advocate renowned for her leadership role as president of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Her activism was ignited by the tragic disappearance of her daughter, Laura Estela Carlotto, who was abducted in late 1977 while pregnant. Through her relentless pursuit of justice, Estela uncovered that Laura had given birth to a son whose identity had been altered. For nearly 36 years, she tirelessly sought her grandson.

On August 5, 2014, Estela's perseverance bore fruit when a DNA test confirmed the identity of her grandson, marking him as the 114th child recovered by the Grandmothers. This milestone not only reunited a family but also highlighted the ongoing struggle for human rights in Argentina.

Throughout her career, Carlotto has garnered numerous accolades for her dedication to uncovering the truth and advocating for victims of state terrorism. Her efforts have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights and the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize from UNESCO. In 2015, she was celebrated as one of BBC's 100 Women, cementing her legacy as a vital figure in the fight for justice and the protection of human rights.