First Women’s Clues and Associates and Suffragists

Ang mga Unang Samahang Pangkababaihan, Asosasyon at mga Suffragist

Filipino women realized the need to campaign for social and political reforms, notably winning the women’s right to vote. They organized the first women’s clubs and associations to fight for their rights, which led to the beginning of the feminist movement in the Philippines.

Concepcion Felix de Calderon

(9 February 1884 – 26 January 1967)

Established one of the first women's organizations in the Philippines, Asociación Feminista Filipina,

as well as one of the first humanitarian NGOs, La Gota de Leche.

Photo Description: Señora Calderon and her two boys : Manila -- 1900

Trinidad Rizal

(6 June 1868 – 9 May 1951)

Was a pioneering Filipina feminist who co-founded the Philippines' first feminist organization, the Asociación Femenista Filipina. She was also the tenth sibling of the national hero, physician, and writer, Dr. José Rizal.

Gota de Leche

These triplets, beneficiaries of Gota de Leche, are named Fe, Esperanza, and Caridad (right). The three children on the left are Maria, Crispin, and Tomas, affectionately called "Mary-Cris-Mas" because they were all born on Christmas Day. (1957)

The Asociacion Feminista Filipina was founded in 1905 and is the first documented women’s organization to recognize itself as feminist and aimed for reforms for issues on health, labor, and education, among other social concerns. Concepcion Felix de Calderon (February 9, 1884–January 26, 1967) and Trinidad Rizal (June 6, 1868–May 9, 1951) were among its founders. From this, La Proteccion de la Infancia was founded in 1906 and implemented the La Gota de Leche project, addressing women’s and children’s health concerns. 

Pura Villanueva Kalaw

(27 August 1886 – 21 March 1954)

Organized a suffrage group, the Asociacion Feminista Ilongga. Her efforts led to the

first suffrage bill in the Philippine Assembly in 1907.

The Asociacion Feminista Ilonga was founded in 1906 by Pura Villanueva Kalaw (August 27, 1886–March, 21 1954). The Society for the Advancement of Women was formed in 1912 and became known as the National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines in 1921. It launched the campaign for women’s suffrage. After years of campaigning, women overwhelmingly won the right to vote in 1937.

Aurora Antonia Aragon Quezon

(19 February 1888 – 28 April 1949)

Was renowned for her dedication to humanitarian causes. She served as the first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross and was the wife of President Manuel Luis Quezon. Aurora held the role of

First Lady of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944.

Dona Aurora Quezon (19 February 1888 – 28 April 1949) heavily supported the fight to win the women’s vote. She was the first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross (now the Philippine Red Cross), which was established in 1947 and is one of the foremost humanitarian organizations in the country. A peace award was named after her to commemorate her invaluable contribution to humanitarian action.

Josefa Llanes Escoda

Josefa Llanes Escoda talking to young girls about the Girl Scouts

Josefa Llanes Escoda (September 20, 1898–January 6, 1945) was the founder and first National Executive of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines in 1940. She aimed to develop volunteerism and a sense of nationhood among young women and girls. When she was arrested and imprisoned by the Japanese in 1944, she continued to serve the Filipino war prisoners.

Other notable women include Apolonia Catra, Espiridiona Bonifacio, Agueda Esteban, Praxedes Fajardo, Gregoria Montoya, Rosario Villaruel, Trinidad Rizal, Bernarda Nocon, Patrocinio Gamboa, and Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio.

References

Kalaw, P.V. (1951). Filipino Women: The Challenge They Meet.