María de las Mercedes Menafra Rodríguez (born 20 June 1943) is a Uruguayan entrepreneur, who served as the First Lady of Uruguay from 2000 to 2005, as the wife of President Jorge Batlle.

In 1995 Menafra was elected president of the Casa de Gardel center for rehabilitation and recreation of people with disabilities, where she worked until 2000.

In 2001, Menafra was recognized by the country's journalists who awarded her the Woman of the Year Prize, with the 2001 Honorable Mention, for her work on behalf of Uruguayan women.

[4] In April 2001, in Japan, she received a distinction from Soka Gakkai International, an institution that transcends borders and is dedicated to the strengthening of human values.

[5] Mercedes Menafra conceived of and founded Todos por Uruguay, a non-profit association which leads and develops in the following areas: Made Here, Scholastic Smiles, The Creole Table, Musical Journey, Different Capacities, United Hands, and Computers for More Schools.