In January 1996, the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) started to exist under the leadership of Virna S. Tintiangco. Its purpose: To provide a unique space for Filipinas to discuss concerns and issues related to their personal and professional lives.
Operating under an informal structure, the Filipina Women’s Network members met quarterly, inviting guest speakers to cover topics on balancing work and home life, being a Filipina, spirituality, career developments, etc. In 1999, Tintiangco moved to Oregon and Marily Mondejar and Victoria Urbi took over as co-chairs. By then, FWN was growing, with Bay Area-based members from diverse backgrounds, varying age groups and different professions. In essence, the organization has filled a need for women to talk about issues they rarely talk about in a group of Filipina women. Forming a Steering Committee, Mondejar and Urbi formed a Steering Committee to take FWN to the next level. The Steering Committee created a professional identity for FWN, as well as continued to provide programs for its members.
Through the years, FWN has fought for Filipina women in the United States, letting the mainstream know that they have the skills to compete at all levels of society, business, government and/or politics. It is also committed to fostering the socioeconomic, political and educational advancement of Filipina women through publications, lectures, cultural heritage events, career initiative and professional development programs.
Today, under the leadership of Mondejar, FWN has over a thousand members all across the US. It continues to re-invent itself to adapt to the current workplace, economic and political trends, as well as respond to the needs of Filipina women in the US. FWN is also very active in advocating on the issue of domestic violence.
Finding your Filipina voice: FWN’s 8th Filipina Leadership Summit
On October 13 to 15, FWN will hold its 8th Filipina Leadership Summit at the Stanford Court Renaissance in San Francisco. The summit’s theme this year is Filipina Voices: Changing the Face of Power in America, highlighting the many voices of Filipinas nationwide. It will also look into how we can leverage our community voice to shape sophisticated strategies to advance Filipina women in every sector in the US workplace.
This also marks the third group of 100 Influential Women that FWN is honoring. This honor pays tribute to Filipinas’ contributions to their communities and in their professions, which in turn enhances the rich history of the Fil-Am culture. Previous honorees include former NaFFAA chair, businesswoman and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis, first Fil-Am Rear Admiral in US Naval history and former White house physician Connie Mariano, and former planning commissioner and now Mayor of Hercules City Myrna de Vera, to name a few.
This year, FWN’s 8th Filipina Leadership Summit kicks off with a keynote luncheon in in honor of California Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye on October 13, Thursday. In the evening, a Mayors’ Reception will be given for the 100 Most Influential Women in the US, with Rear Admiral Eleanor Valentin giving the Welcome Keynote.
On October 14, Friday, will be FWN100 Speed Femtoring of 100 Young Pinays at the Carnelia by the Bay at Embarcadero. Speed Femtoring is a networking event at which femtees/protégés can asked experienced professionals those “everything-you’ve-always-wanted-to-know-but-didn’t-know-whom-to-ask” questions. In the evening, FWN will have its FWN100 awards gala and reception.
October 15, Saturday is the summit’s last day, with a “Make me a Filipina Millionaire” speaker panel that will feature Filipina entrepreneurs sharing their journeys—how they reached their first million dollars in business, as they work their passion, achieve their dream and share their prosperity with those who need it.
The summit will close with a planning session for the Pinay Power 2012 Reunion @ the 9th Filipina Leadership Summit, on August 30 to September 1, 2012. One of the highlights of next year’s summit is the FWN Time Capsule, which will be sealed at the reunion, and will be deposited at an agreed upon location. It will be opened by designated heirs of FWN members, at the bicentennial celebration of Filipino migration to the US in 2106.
For more information on the Filipina Women’s Network and their programs, log on to www.ffwn.org.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(Northern California Oct. 14-20, 2011 SomethingFilipino pg.2)
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