Overview

Stella Maris Raquel Leverberg (12 September 1962 – 3 January 2020) was an Argentine educator, trade union leader and national legislator. She became known for her work representing teachers in the province of Misiones and for serving two terms in the lower house of the Argentine National Congress from 2007 until 2015.

Roles and responsibilities

Leverberg combined grassroots union activism with parliamentary work. As head of the Unión de Docentes de la Provincia de Misiones (UDPM), she spoke for primary and secondary educators in provincial negotiations over wages, working conditions and school resources. In the Chamber of Deputies she was one of the province's national representatives, participating in debates and votes on legislation affecting education, labor and regional development. The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the National Congress of Argentina; its members represent the country's provinces and pass laws together with the Senate (Chamber of Deputies).

Background and context

Misiones, a northeastern Argentine province known for its subtropical climate and the Iguazú Falls, sends a number of deputies to the national legislature to represent local interests. Leverberg's public profile grew from her dual identity as a classroom professional and as a union leader. Her leadership of UDPM placed her at the center of provincial labor discussions and school policy debates, giving her a platform to advocate for teachers' rights and public education in Misiones (Misiones).

Death and legacy

On 3 January 2020, Leverberg was involved in a road accident in Cruce Caballero, Misiones. She was taken to hospital and died there after suffering a cardiac arrest at the age of 57. Reports at the time linked the cardiac event to injuries sustained in the crash (cardiac arrest). Her death was noted in regional and national media and prompted reflections on road safety, the welfare of public servants and the role of union leaders who enter elected office.

Notable aspects

  • Teacher-turned-union leader: Leverberg rose from education into organized labor leadership, a common pathway in Argentine public life.
  • From local unionism to national lawmaking: she exemplified how provincial issues and labor concerns can move into national legislative agendas.
  • Public reaction: her sudden death highlighted the personal risks faced by public figures and renewed attention to the causes she championed.

Leverberg is remembered primarily for her advocacy on behalf of teachers in Misiones and for bringing those concerns into the national legislative arena during her eight years as a deputy.