Women (1953). Awards and recognitions Due to her exemplary work in advancing the cause of human rights, especially of women, Maria Lavalle Urbina has been the recipient of a great deal of awards. In her honor, the Mexican chapter of the World Association of Women Journalists and Writers created the Maria Lavalle Urbina national award. This specific award is given annually and is an integral aspect of the National Institute of Women. Maria was declared Woman of the Year in 1963. She was Mexico's representation in over forty international meetings. Maria has been honored with various awards, including the UN award for distinguished services rendered to the cause of human rights. This is especially notable because it was the first and only award ever given to a woman and would remain so until December 1973. She was also awarded the Belisario Domínguez Medal of Honor in 1965 for her extensive political achievements. Additionally, Maria received the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights in 1976. Maria Lavalle Urbina is a fundamental part of Mexico's history. She was the first woman to engage politically in what was considered to be a man's world. She fought for women's rights and blazed the path for equality between the sexes. Death María Lavalle Urbina on died April 23, 1996, in Mexico City. On November 28, 2006, the remains of Lavalle, Emma Godoy Lobato (a prominent journalist that promoted the defense of old age) and Dolores del Río (a famous Mexican actress) were transferred to the Rotonda de las Personas Illustres (Rotunda of Illustrious Persons). This is a site in the Panteón de Dolores (the largest cemetery in Mexico) that honors those who exhibited the civic, human, and national values of Mexico. In this ceremony the memory of María was honored by the former Secretary of the Interior, Carlos María Abascal Carranza. The President of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate of the Republic also spoke at the ceremony, highlighting Urbina's terrific career as a lawyer and political figure. Urbina is one of only six women in the Rotunda of Illustrious Persons. Finally, after her death, the state of Campeche erected a statue in her name. References 1908 births 1996 deaths Mexican schoolteachers Mexican judges Members of the Senate of the Republic (Mexico) Presidents of the Senate of the Republic (Mexico) Mexican people of Basque descent Politicians from Campeche City Institutional Revolutionary