Grandmother Earns PhD at 87, Inspires Three Generations to Pursue Education

When Rosa Domínguez walked across the stage at the University of Buenos Aires to receive her PhD in History, five of her grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were in the audience — all enrolled in school or university because of her example. Rosa, who left school at 14 to help support her family, returned to education at age 70, earning her high-school diploma, bachelor's degree, master's, and finally her doctorate over 17 years of determined study.

"I always told my grandchildren that it is never too late," Rosa said, clutching her diploma. "Now they believe me." Her dissertation on women's labour movements in 20th-century Argentina has been praised by scholars and will be published as a book. Since Rosa began her educational journey, 11 members of her extended family have enrolled in formal education, including her 62-year-old daughter, who is now completing a nursing degree.

“Rosa, who left school at 14 to help support her family, returned to education at age 70, earning her high-school diploma, bachelor's degree, master's, and finally her doctorate over 17 years of determined study.”