Honoring Barbara’s Legacy

Barbara Angelina Davis Escobar was born and raised in Tucson, AZ, in the Barrio Viejo neighborhood as the youngest of six children. Her parents, a union construction worker and an elementary school teacher’s aide, emphasized the importance of a good education and hoped for bright futures for their children. For Barbara, this aspiration wasn’t just for herself—it extended to her family and community.

When she first started at the University of Arizona (UofA), Barbara wasn’t entirely sure where her journey would lead, but she always knew her focus would remain in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). After graduating, Barbara worked in various labs before starting her career at the Pima County Wastewater Department. After several years there, she moved to the Arizona State Health Department as a Federal/State Licensing Surveyor, where she monitored and audited environmental laboratories locally and nationally.

Barbara returned to Pima County in 2010 as a Lab Manager and later became the Compliance & Regulatory Affairs Manager. In August 2021, she transitioned to the Department of Environmental Quality as the Deputy Director, and in May 2022, she was promoted to Director. She stepped down in January 2023 due to health issues.

While building her successful career, Barbara also built a family with her husband and high school sweetheart, Martin Escobar. Together, they raised two children, Levi and Miranda, in the heart of Barrio Viejo, Tucson. Barbara was known by friends and family as the life of the party, always ready to dance, laugh, and spread joy. She was thoughtful and kind, balancing her roles as a devoted mother, wife, sister, friend, and community member. Professionally and personally, she worked tirelessly to make Tucson a more livable and safer place. Remarkably, she achieved all this while managing cancer diagnoses and treatments.

Above all, Barbara understood the value of family, community, and support.

Throughout her career, Barbara often shared with close family and friends that she was frequently the only woman—and often the only woman of color—in many of the meetings she attended, both in Tucson and beyond. She made it her mission to connect with young women, particularly women of color in her field, to encourage them to pursue their dreams and careers in STEM. Barbara remained committed to this cause until her passing in April 2023 due to cancer.

A legacy like Barbara’s is hard to replicate, but through the Barbara Angelina Escobar Legacy Foundation, we are dedicated to honoring the impact Barbara had on everyone she met. Our mission is to support underserved communities and uphold the same level of support, kindness, encouragement, mentorship, and success that Barbara embodied every day. This foundation is rooted in the community, with scholarship funds raised to support women of color in their educational journeys and future careers.