Racer's Travel Journals

Racer

 
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  • 31 years old
  • From Denver, United States
  • Currently in Denver, United States

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August 3, 2009

Philippines Philippines  |  Aug 03, 2009
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 And You Thought We Were Progressive... 

An international icon of women's empowerment passed away this last weekend.  How quickly some of us based here in the United States forget that the US still has a long way to go at times when it comes to being progressive and to truly overcoming stereotypes and prejudices of the past.  Maria Corazon Aquino became the president of the Philippines over 20 years before such a candidate was even proposed in the US.  She rose to power peacefully in 1986 following her husband's very public assasination on the steps of the Manila International Airport.  Corazon proclaimed herself to be a "plain housewife" but in her role organizing her husband's funeral (the largest in the Philippines to date) she showed herself to be a capable leader.  As the dictator Marcos maintained his firm hold on the country, supporters finally convinced Aquino that she and only she could unite the opposition forces to take Marcos down.  Marcos fought hard, blatantly intimidating voters and trying in every manner to manipulate the election in his favor.  One of Aquino's closest allies was assassinated following the election.  As riots broke out across the country, Marcos attempted to swear himself into the office of president, but was forced into exile later that night.   Despite all of his power and strength, and constant references to Aquino as "just a woman" whose place was in the bedroom, Aquino came out on top, finally toppling the dictator in an ultimately peaceful overthrow.  Aquino instituted sweeping agrarian reforms and withstood a series of military insurrections.  At the end of her 6 year term, she quietly stepped down, endorsing her defense secretary as a candidate in the next presidential race.

Corazon Aquino received the honor of being named Time Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1986 and was a strong candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize the same year, ultimately coming in second place to Eli Wiesel.  She had since won many awards and recognitions for her work for freedom and democracy and was acknowledged as one of the 100 Women Who Shaped World History.  Corazon passed away at age 76 on August 1, 2009 of colon cancer, leaving the country of the Philippines, and much of the world, in mourning.

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