BORN in 1931, Dolores Sibonga grew up in Seattle’s International District, often working at her parents restaurant and pool hall, the Estigoy Cafe. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Washington in 1952. After graduation, she held radio and TV jobs in Spokane and Seattle, including producing documentaries.
Admitting that she was inspired by Victor Velasco, publisher of the monthly newspaper, the Filipino Forum, and a respected figure in the Filipino community, Dolores decided to go into publishing. She and her now-deceased husband bought the Filipino Forum when Velasco was killed in a cannery fire in 1968. The paper failed,however.
Sibonga got her law degree in 1973 from the University of Washington and became the first Filipina-American admitted to the Bar Association in Washington State that same year. She then became a public defense attorney, worked for a while as a King County Council legislative analyst and then moved to the office of civil rights, where she was responsible for day-to-day operations. Serving as a public defender, Sibonga later became Deputy Director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission.
In 1978, Sibonga was appointed to replace Councilwoman Phyllis Lamphere, who had resigned to take a job with the federal Economic Development Administration. She filled in Lamphere’s seat until a special election was held. After serving on the council for three months in 1978, she returned to her post as deputy director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission,
Dolores did not run in the special election, but was subsequently elected to Council for the 4-year term beginning in 1980. She thus became the first minority woman to serve on the Seattle City council in 1979. She succesfully served 3 terms for a total of 12 years.
Increasing opportunity for minorities marked Sibonga’s three elected terms in office, from 1980 to 1992.
Sibonga ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 1989. Still, her mayoral campaign brought many Asian Americans together to rally for her cause. She chose not to stand for reelection in 1992.
After her Council term expired, Sibonga resumed her law practice and also began writing for a Filipino American community newspaper. She has served on several public commissions, including the Horse Racing Commission (for a two-year term ending in January 2000) and the Human Rights Commission (for a five-year term from June 2000-2005).
In 2006,semi-retired after leaving the council in 1992, Sibonga has thrown her hat into the ring as a "caretaker" candidate to fill another open seat, the one left by Councilman Jim Compton’s departure. Though she failed to get the seat, Sibonga continues to be actively involved in the city’s affairs.
( Published on January 7, 2008 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )
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