Dr Adelamar Alcantara, a 100 Most Influential Filipino Woman in the United States

This post is an exception to my normal writings about Australian- and web-related subjects.

I am writing about Dr Adelamar Alcantara, Ph.D. of New Mexico, United States.

Earlier today, Dr Alcantara, or Dely to her friends, sent a wonderful news to her emailgroup friends. The Filipina Women’s Network’s 100 Most Influential Women in the U.S. Award last Tuesday informed her that she has been selected as a 100 Most Influential Woman in the U.S. for 2009.

With more than 4 million Filipino Americans in the United States, to belong to the top 100 most influential Filipino American women in that country is truly an achievement.

Dely is a Research Professor and Senior Research Scientist/Demographer at the Latin American and Iberian Institute, New Mexico University.

The FWN Award, according to the organisers, is a working recognition award and a key initiative of Pinay Power 2012 which aims to double the number of Filipino women leaders by 2012.

Pinay Power 2012 began in 2006 with “a dream to inspire, inform, and advance Filipina women leaders who would influence the Filipino American community’s future. It provides a critical pathway for successful women who care about advancement, achievement, and significance.”

This year’s FWN 100 Selection Committee is chaired by Lt Col Shirley Raguindin. Marily Mondejar and Elena Mangahas are the FWN president and Board chairperson, respectively.

Awarding will take place at the 6th Filipina Leadership Summit on Friday, 30 October in Berkely, California.

I mentioned earlier that this post is an exception. It is indeed. I made an exception so I can extend my personal well wishes to an exceptional woman for her achievement. Dely is a former classmate at the Tarlac High School. She is also a regular visitor to Australia.

Mabuhay ka, Dely. You do us all proud.