On the 6th Annual Filipina Leadership Summit

November 10th, 2009 by nanette Posted in Education, People & Society, Proud to be Pinoy

Filipinas are walking contradictions. Described as the “silent but talented minority group,” they are small in stature but big on influence. Diverse, innovative and resilient, you will find Filipina women in all corners of the globe, working hard to break cultural boundaries and secure their place in society.

The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) endeavored to bring these women together through a nationwide search for the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the U.S. The award recognizes outstanding women who have shifted the course of events in their respective fields, helping to shape the Filipino-American community. To see photos of the awardees, click here…

It was an incredibly humbling experience to be among such accomplished and successful women. As an entrepreneur, it was an amazing way to get inspired, informed, challenged. To see the entire list of awardees, click here

I attended the awards gala in Berkeley, California during the 6th annual Filipina Leadership Summit on October 30-November 1. Having worked with FWN in various ways in the past, I have witnessed their exceptional work in creating breakthroughs. They have helped to change public perceptions of Filipina women’s capacities to lead and influence society. This is a network that truly empowers.

The summit brought together Filipinas from all walks of life. I met women of varying ages, backgrounds and occupations and yet I identified fully with their stories. As we exchanged accounts about living and thriving in the U.S., I was proud of and inspired by these women who did so much more than survive in this foreign country. To see excerpts and messages from the awardees and the summit, click here….

A Heart to Breast Talk: Survivors, Healing and Transformations, Shame to Sharing, Recovery to Renewal
Gloria Caoile, Senior Political Director, APALA, AFL-CIO, Survivor, 2007 Awardee, 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the U.S.

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Filipina Leaders in the U.S. Military: Advancing Women in a Traditionally Male-Dominated Industry
Captain Raquel Cruz Bono, Commanding Officer for US Navy Hospital, Jacksonville; Deployed to first Gulf War as a trauma surgeon to oversee Casualty Receiving at Fleet Hospital in Saudi Arabia, Awardee, Builders & Emerging Leaders

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Lots of Laughter Too
Dolly Pangan-Specht, Chair of fundraisers for the construction of Dambana, the Filipino Shrine at The Grotto in Portland, Awardee, Behind the Scenes Leaders

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Run Filipina Run: Elected Filipinas
Lorraine Rodero Inouye, Mayor of the County of Hawaii 1990-92; Former Hawaii State Senator 1998-2008, Awardee, Policymakers & Visionaries

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Transparency in Leadership
Captain Raquel Cruz Bono, Commanding Officer for US Navy Hospital, Jacksonville; Deployed to first Gulf War as a trauma surgeon to oversee Casualty Receiving at Fleet Hospital in Saudi Arabia
Awardee, Builders & Emerging Leaders

On What You Gain in a Summit
Ruthe Catolico, Esq., Chair, Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity, American Bar Association
Awardee, Founders & Pioneers

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On Collective Strength
Ruth Uy Asmundson, PhD Mayor, City of Davis, CA

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On Starting Out and Working 24/7
Sherri Burke, CEO, Cheryl Burke Dance, Entrepreneur

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On Priorities and Balancing the Act
Zeny F. Cunanan, President, Galaxy Global Corporation, a Software Development Company
Awardee, Founders & Pioneers

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On Social Responsibility
Maria Concepcion Banatao, Founder, Banatao Family American Education Fund and Dado and Maria Banatao Institute
Awardee, Behing the Scenes Leaders

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To see more excerpts and messages from the awardees and the summit, click here….

I was selected under the Founders and Pioneers category for my work as founder and president of web portal www.FilipinoVillage.com and online directory www.FilAmYellowPages.com. Being recognized for one’s work as a community leader and civic engagement in the Filipino American community commands even higher expectations. It was truly an honor and I look at the award as a commitment on my part to continue on the same thread, humbly offering Filipino Village as a vehicle to motivate and inspire others to action.

In accordance with Pinay Power 2012, which aims to double the number of Filipina leaders the U.S., Lt. Col. Shirley Raguindin, chairwoman of the selection committee, said that “awardees were to carry on the mission of achieving a higher level of role modeling, mentorship and guidance for the next generations of Filipina leaders to follow.” FWN asked each of us to re-invent ourselves by “womentoring” one protégé. This was our way of developing tomorrow’s Filipina leaders, now.
In part, this is what FilipinoVillage.com was built for, as a channel for Filipinos worldwide to connect with one another and share what we have to offer. Do we have stories to tell? Lessons to share? Words of wisdom to encourage and motivate one another? Here is the portal by which this can be achieved; to communicate our messages no matter where in the world we may be.
In the words of FWN President, Marily Mondejar, it’s about “changing our paradigm and building our future in our adopted country.” Pinay Power is about advancing Filipina women in the U.S. workplace. Let us blaze trails for the next generations of Filipina Americans.

I thank and commend the entire Board and Committee members of FWN for their initiative, passion and relentless commitment to Pinay Power 2012. On our part, I call on each of us to create a community of Filipinos helping each other succeed and cultivating future community leaders.