Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

LOS ANGELES – Fil-Am community and labor activist Gloria T. Caoile was one of four outstanding community leaders who were honored during a dinner awards program hosted by Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), a non-profit organization that encourages individuals to assume leadership positions at work and in the community.

The event was in celebration of LEAP’s 27th year of "growing leaders and was held on July 16 at the Omni Hotel. The dinner awards program was hosted by Channel 7 Eyewitness News anchor David Ono.

After accepting her award, Caoile, remarked, "I am very humbled by this award. This is a very meaningful because it symbolizes the essence of my work, because mentoring young people and encouraging leadership development have always been my life’s passion."

Mrs. Caoile, who lives in Springfield, Virginia, and works in Washington D.C., was one of a group of Asian Pacific Islander Americans that was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the first ever Asian Pacific Commission. The commission reached out to the grassroot APA communities about the issues that affected them. Today, Caoile is pushing for voter participation among APA communities. "The electoral process – voter registration, voter education, voter protection, how to get the votes – most of these work is very tedious," Caoile declared. "But it is tedious work that is very necessary; without these work, there is no political empowerment," she said.

"Be a leader," Caoile exhorted. "Be willing to do the small tasks; the small tasks, in turn, lead to big achievements," Caoile said. "When a community participates in the political process, our voices are heard, our issues are ventilated, and our needs are met," Caoile remarked. "It works because, collectively, through our efforts here in Los Angeles, and throughout the country, we have achieved some victories, like the election of Congresswoman Judy Chu to the US Congress."