Anita Ramos De Schaff MTIDCH. Linguist and Interpreter

Anita Ramos De Schaff, born in La Coruña, Galicia, Spain, 27 May 1918 of parents Celsa Noguerol and Bernardino Ramos, arrived in 1920 in the United States by way of Ellis Island, Port of New York. Her education was completed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts educational institutions. She earned her diploma from Central Falls High School. She was inducted into Rhode Island Honor Society of secondary schools. Later, Anita served as supervisor of Foreign Broadcasts for Station WFCI, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Anita attended Brown University, 1937 through 1941, where she was the first woman to receive the William Overton Scholarship. She also attended Rhode Island College of Education; she earned a Masters of Education degree.

In September, 1943 Anita Ramos was naturalized at U.S. District Court, Providence, Rhode Island. Later she was sworn into the U.S. Navy. After attending Midshipman School, Northhampton, Massachusetts, Anita Ramos served in


 









Europe during World War II as an interpreter and intelligence officer. For her efficient services, Anita Ramos earned Letters of commendations from Rear Admirals.

In civilian life, Anita Ramos promoted Spanish culture and language. Anita Ramos received recognition from several grateful recipients: Scottsdale Public Schools Spanish Cultural Society, the Royal Palm School, and the Institute of Hispanic Culture. The League of Arizona Cities and Town Commendation was awarded her for teaching Spanish to a large group. Reverend Edward A. McCarthy, the first Bishop of the Phoenix Catholic Diocese, gave Anita a letter of recognition for teaching Spanish to the bishop, priests, and the sisters of the diocese. Anita was the catalyst for the Phoenix diocese policy requiring every priest assigned to a Mexican parish to use Spanish. In the 1960s Anita was one of the founders of the Arizona-Sonora Commission and served as interpreter between the state of Arizona and Mexico.