‘Remember your roots but expand your worldview’ - 35 inspiring quotes by women leaders from the Philippines

HerStory celebrates the global dimensions of International Women’s Day through sharing 35 inspiring quotes by women leaders from the Philippines. They are drawn from the book, ‘DISRUPT: Proud. Loud. Leading Without a Doubt,’ edited by Maria Beebe and Maya Escudero (see the HerStory article ‘Seven tips for women leaders’).

Published by the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), the contributing authors are recipients of FWN’s 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award (see also the HerStory compilation ‘50 inspiring quotes from women entrepreneurs in 2014’).

There is a myth that leadership is a quality that a person is born with. – Marily Mondejar, Filipina Women’s Network

We must value our heritage for its intrinsic qualities, instead of pining for the measures of excellence of other societies. – Elena Mangahas, Filipina Women’s Network

Passion makes you believe in yourself. It is motivating. It is infectious. It is the key to long-term success. – Gloria T. Caoile, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance

You will never be who you were meant to be, if you don’t follow your heart!. – Michele Bumgarner, racing champion

Developing others is the true mark of a leader. – Cristeta Comerford, White House Executive Chef

A sign of a great leader is to have the foresight and courage to know your limits. – Kristine M. Custodio, ACP

Give back to society. Civic engagement happens in the present, not when you retire. – Sonia T. Delen-Fitzsimmons, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Empathy is a big part of leadership, and being a good listener helps. – Ernestina de los Santos-Mac, President, PACCM

First impressions may never be accurate. – Honorable Cheryl Nora Moss

Do not be stingy when sharing knowledge and wisdom. – Janet Susan R. Nepales, International Women’s Media Foundation

Do what you can in the time that you have in the place where you are. – Shirley S. Raguindin, Chief Diversity Officer for the Air National Guard

Maintain a continuous connection to your ancestors and the Divine. They will be your source of strength, hope, and love. – Janet Stickmon, Napa Valley College

While the end goal is to succeed, what truly matters is the quality of the journey that gets us there. – Nina D. Aguas, Philippine Bank of Communications

Do what is right especially when nobody is looking. – Mayor Ruth Uy Asmundson, Davis Sister Cities

True leadership comes not from position but from participation and effectiveness. – Mary Jane Alvero Al-Mahdi, GTL

Every endeavour requires an effort to always do better than the ordinary. Do not just set goals that are easily achieved! – Suzie Moya Benitez, Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation

A true leadership career will prove to you the nobility of work and dedication to the human race. – Carmencita M. David-Padilla, University of the Philippines

Every inspirational leader must have a clearly articulated vision. – Adela Sering-Fojas, SevenSeven Corporate Group

Remember your roots but expand your worldview. – Soledad Muesco Manaay, Xicepta Sciences

Choose a business which also has a positive social impact, and you can be doubly happy. – Susie Quesada, Ramar Foods International

After the homework is done, trust your instincts. – Marife Zamora, Convergys Philippines

We need to emphasize our shared humanity while accommodating differences. – Maria Africa Beebe, Global Networks

Have fun and enjoy every moment of it! And that’s an order. – Penélope V. Flores, SFSU

Since the Philippines has had their first female president and America has not, I consider the Philippines to be advanced in important areas. – Mira Gillet, Peace Game Online

Delegate even if you know you can do the job better and more efficiently. – Lenore RS Lim, Lim Foundation for the Arts

Freedom must be defended constantly by each generation. Freedom is a fragile thing – once lost, it is very difficult to recover. – Imelda M. Nicolas, Commission on Filipinos Overseas

Have a sense of history and know where you are coming from. – Loida Nicolas-Lewis, TLC Beatrice

Put your ego aside and be a people person. – Patricia Ann V. Paez, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Poland

Working with you should be both productive and pleasurable. – Delia B. Rodriguez-Amaya, International Academy of Food Science and Technology

Do not be ashamed of your beginnings, no matter how humble they may be. – Astrid S. Tuminez, Microsoft Southeast Asia

Share stories because they are important. – Amelia M. Duran-Stanton, Inspector General, US Army

It is not enough to survive, we have to change the world so that women and girls cease to be commodities and targets of violence. – Annalisa Vicente Enrile, USC

Colour is skin deep. Achievement is rooted beneath the surface of colour. – Lirio Sobreviñas-Covey, Association for Adults with Autism Philippines (AAAP)

Failures are opportunities to learn and simply another challenge to overcome. – Julieta Gabiola, Stanford University