Mary
E. Domíngues Campos, born in McAlester, Oklahoma in 1929,
is an advocate for women and children in Iowa and has helped
to establish better relationships between people of diverse
ethnic backgrounds. Campos serves on numerous boards and councils
as a champion for human rights, including the Community Housing
Education Resource Center, Council for International Understanding,
Mid-City Vision Committee, Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel, Hispanic
Ministry, Senior Citizens Advisory Council, Adult and Youth
Ministries Diocese of Des Moines Advisory Council, and The Des
Moines Register Advisory Council. She served as President of
the United Mexican-American Community Center. Campos has also
been active politically, serving as the Hispanic representative
to the Iowa Democratic Party in 1983 and as the co-chair of
the Polk County Democratic County Convention in 1992. With the
Hispanic population increasing in Iowa, Campos spends countless
hours helping non-English speaking families who are relocating
in Des Moines and Perry become more informed about social and
health issues. As Randolph J. Davis says, “She has represented
her Latino ethnic group with dignity and courage.” Campos
was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in 1995.
Today she is continuing her endless work for the Latino community.