Kristine Mantilla ‘22
The recent events and attacks on Asian Americans during Women’s History Month made me, a Filipino American reflect on Asian female leaders and role models to look up to. One leader I thought about is Corazon Aquino, the former president of the Philippines and an alumna of our school. Being the first female president after a period of dictatorship before her, Aquino is an important role model for leadership throughout the world.
From a young age, Aquino learned about the importance of resilience from her female family members. Her mother and grandmother constantly stressed hard work and claimed you could not get anywhere without it. While she learned the significance of resilience from the women in her family, she also learned the importance of education from the male members in her family. After World War II, Aquino studied overseas in America. A highlight of her education was that she attended and graduated from Notre Dame Convent School at the school’s previous location at 79th street prior to the move here at West 13th. As a Filipino student at Notre Dame, knowing that a Filipino leader was an alumna of our school made me feel much more seen and proud to be both Filipino and an ND student.
After graduating college in the United States, she attended law school back in the Philippines and met her husband who soon became a famous politician. After his assassination, the people of the Philippines pushed for her to run for president. After successfully leading the People Power Protest, a series of peaceful protests to overturn election results that were deemed fraudulent, Aquino became the first female president of the Philippines. With little political experience, she overall ran a good presidency. Many Filipinos regard her as the “Mother of Democracy”, as she helped democracy return into the Philippines. While she did leave some issues unsolved throughout her term, she set the foundation for democracy and paved the way for her successors. She was a massive influence for women in politics and in power at that time.
Corazon Aquino’s legacy as the first female president of the Philippines, I think, provides an example to ND students and to other women to strive and try their best. Knowing that Aquino was an ND student encourages me to work harder so I can reach my full potential, just like her.
Sources:
Essential Cory Aquino: The Young Cory
TIME Magazine: 100 Women of the Year: 1986: Corazon Aquino
National Women’s History Museum: Corazon Aquino
Editors: Cecilia Fiorindo and Ms. Brilliant
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