Near San Salvador, El Salvador — Central America (West Coast)
Elba and Celina Ramos Auditorium
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 2019
1. Elba and Celina Ramos Auditorium Marker
Dignas y ejemplares mujeres, representantes de la sencillez, generosidad y laboriosidad del pueblo salvadoreños.
En recuerdo agradecido a su cercanía y servicio a la Compañía de Jesús, que las llevó a compartir el martirio.
Universidad Centroamericana “José Simeón Cañas”
San Salvador, 11 de noviembre de 2013
Elba and Celina Ramos Auditorium
Worthy and exemplary women, representatives of the simplicity, generosity and industriousness of the Salvadoran people.
In grateful memory to their closeness and service to the Society of Jesus, which led them to share in their martyrdom.
Central American University “José Simeón Cañas”
San Salvador, November 11, 2013
Erected 2013.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Wars, Non-US • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is November 11, 2013.
Location. 13° 40.795′ N, 89° 14.147′ W. Marker is near San Salvador. Memorial
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Florentino Idoate (within shouting distance of this marker); Students Peace Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The Francisco Javier Ibisate Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ignacio Ellacuría Auditorium (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Ignacio Martín-Baró (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Massacre at the Central American University (UCA) (about 120 meters away); Mural of the Martyrs of the UCA (about 150 meters away); Francisco Andrés Escobar Building (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Salvador.
Regarding Elba and Celina Ramos Auditorium. The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) website entry:
Julia Elba Ramos was born in Santiago de Maria, El Salvador on March 5, 1947. Elba’s husband, Obdulio, worked as an overseer on a plantation in Santa Tecla, and she worked as a domestic employee in San Salvador. During the coffee harvest, she would leave her domestic job tocut coffee on the plantation where her husband worked. In 1970, the plantation owner was kidnapped and killed, forcing Elba and Obdulio to abandon their jobs. The couple moved to Jayaque, where Obdulio worked as a watchman and Elba farmed corn and beans to provide for her family. Elba and Obdulio had four children, two of whom died. At the time of the massacre, Elba and Obdulio had two living children, one of whom was Celina Meredith.Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, November 12, 20192. Elba and Celina Ramos Auditorium MarkerThe marker is seen here along the corridor leading to the auditorium, near the 'Aulas D' building.
In 1985, Elba began to work at the Jesuits’ residence at the UCA. In 1989, Father Montes offered Obdulio a job as the gardener and watchman of the new university residence as well as a newly built home near the residence. Elba was killed alongside her daughter Celina. Her body was found wrapped around Celina’s, trying to protect her from the shooting.
Celina Maricet Ramos was born in Jayaque, El Salvador on February 23, 1976. In 1989, she finished her first year of high school at the José Damian Villacorta Institute in Santa Tecla. On November 11, 1989, at the beginning of the Farabundo Martí Liberation Front (FMLN) offensive, an FMLN patrol bombed one of the entrances to the UCA and shattered all the windows in the Ramos’ house. From that night on, Celina and her mother slept in a small room next to the Jesuits’ dining hall. The night of the massacre, Celina’s father stayed at their home. He was the first to find the bodies of his wife and daughter alongside those of the murdered Jesuit priests.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 19, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
