Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli after receiving her Torchbearer Award

A career of focusing on those most in needs leads to a Torchbearer Award for Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli

March 4, 2009 - Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli joined a group of extraordinary women in accepting a 2009 Indiana Commission for Women Torchbearer Award.

As Dr. Queiro-Tajalli walked up a red carpet to the stage at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, the audience was told how she has focused on “advocating for those most in need here and in other parts of the world.”

“She is a social worker and educator, but anyone who knows her will tell you that she sees her real job is to promote social and economic justice in a global society beginning right here in Indiana.” 

In accepting the award, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli said, “It would have been almost impossible to think of standing here tonight in front of this beautiful and most prestigious group when I came in 1980 from the University of Illinois where I was a Ph.D student and interviewing at the Indiana University School of Social Work.”  Dr. Queiro-Tajalli is the Executive Director of Undergraduate Education and Interim Executive Director of the Labor Studies program at the School of Social Work.

“I wish my parents would be here today, my friends and sister from Argentina, but that’s the story of us immigrants,” said Dr. Queiro-Tajalli, who is from Argentina. She went on to thank those that have helped her with her life’s work, including the “voiceless that have been my inspiration, my passion, to be their voice as a very humble person.” She also thanked School of Social Work Dean Michael Patchner, who has supported her work and told her to “go ahead and do it if you think its right.”

 The award, the highest honor given to women by the State of Indiana, is given to honor Hoosier women who have contributed to making Indiana a better place to live.