Zonta International Honorary Member Corazon Aquino Dies

Former Philippine Republic President Corazon Aquino and Zonta International Honorary Member
Corazon Aquino died early Saturday, August 1, 2009 in Manila. Aquino, a beloved democracy icon
who swept away a dictator and inspired nonviolent resistance to autocratic rule, was the keynote
speaker at the Zonta International Convention in Hong Kong in 1992.
 

The program of the Zonta International Convention in 1992 stated in part: “Corazon Aquino
recently completed her term of office as the seventh president of the Philippine Republic and the
first women to serve in this office. Widely admired for her ability to govern with grace throughout
an historic time of transition for the Philippines, she accepted the challenge of her people with
charisma and determination. Instrumental in advancing the status of women in her nation, she
increased the number of women serving in public office, encouraged women to participate
actively in public life, and aided in the formation and passage of the Philippine Development Plan
for Women. Named "Woman of the Year" by Time magazine in 1988, Corazon Aquino has received
worldwide recognition for her statesmanship. It is with great pleasure Zonta International
welcomes Corazon Aquino as an International Honorary Member, recognizing her commitment to
advancing the status of women and promoting peace, justice and human rights worldwide.”
 

Aquino rose to prominence after the assassination in 1983 of her husband, opposition leader
Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. The uprising she led in 1986 brought down Marcos' repressive 20-
year regime and served as an inspiration to nonviolent resistance across the globe, including
those that ended communist rule in Eastern Europe.
 

Maria Corazon Cojuangco was born on Jan. 25, 1933, into a wealthy, politically powerful family in
Paniqui, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Manila.
 

Her unlikely rise began in 1983 after her husband was gunned down at Manila's international
airport moments after soldiers escorted him from a plane on his arrival from exile in the United
States to challenge Marcos, his longtime adversary. Investigations showed one of his military
escorts was the assassin.
 

After the murder, Aquino returned to the Philippines and led the largest funeral procession Manila
had ever seen, with crowd estimates as high as 2 million.
 

The killing unleashed a broad-based opposition movement that thrust Aquino into the role of
national leader.
 

She ran against Marcos in 1986 and became the Philippines first female President on February 25,
1986. She held that position until 1992.
 

Beryl Sten
President Zonta International