| Gene Canque Liddell Lacey, Washington Washington State First Asian American Female Mayor Currently Deputy Director of Human Services |
When Gene Canque Liddell ran for City Council, she did it with
plan and determination to campaign confidently and never
considered the possibility of losing. Winning a seat as a Council
Member of Lacey, a short distance from Seattle, Washington,
Gene Liddell was eventually elevated from her Council seat to a
City Mayor position and with it, the distinct honor of being the first
and only Asian-American female mayor in the entire Pacific
Northwest region.
Quoting mostly from Reporter Susan L. Cassidy of the NW Asian
Weekly published by Seattle Chinese Post, Inc: "Two years ago,
when Liddell was sworn in as mayor, she promised to serve with
"integrity, intelligence and inclusiveness." Lacey City manager
Fred Cuoio says she's done just that. He cites the PRIDE of
Lacey Award which Lidell has established as mayor.
"The award, Lidell explains, isn't one which has an involved
nomination and selection process. Instead it's one which was
developed to honor those individuals who are going above and
beyond the call of duty, those who are making a difference in
Lacey, at whatever age."
plan and determination to campaign confidently and never
considered the possibility of losing. Winning a seat as a Council
Member of Lacey, a short distance from Seattle, Washington,
Gene Liddell was eventually elevated from her Council seat to a
City Mayor position and with it, the distinct honor of being the first
and only Asian-American female mayor in the entire Pacific
Northwest region.
Quoting mostly from Reporter Susan L. Cassidy of the NW Asian
Weekly published by Seattle Chinese Post, Inc: "Two years ago,
when Liddell was sworn in as mayor, she promised to serve with
"integrity, intelligence and inclusiveness." Lacey City manager
Fred Cuoio says she's done just that. He cites the PRIDE of
Lacey Award which Lidell has established as mayor.
"The award, Lidell explains, isn't one which has an involved
nomination and selection process. Instead it's one which was
developed to honor those individuals who are going above and
beyond the call of duty, those who are making a difference in
Lacey, at whatever age."
PRIDE stands for P for progress; R for role model; I for integrity, intelligence, and inclusiveness; D for
dedicated; and, E for enthusiasm. There was no limit to the number of awardees. It was given to those
prompted by worthiness.
"As Mayor of Lacey, Gene Canque Liddell made history in highlighting positive Filipino-American image not
only in her city of Lacey, or the State of Washington in the Pacific Northwest, but all over the United States
where Filipinos reside. As a role model and an inspiration, Gene Liddelll is top in the region," stated Consul
Nestor N. Padalhin, Acting Principal Officer of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle, who nominated her
to be one of the awardees of this year's Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans.
As Mayor of Lacey, Gene introduced so many positive changes which were all welcomed by the citizens of
Lacey. She opened the Council meeting to the public and she gave due recognitions to citizens for their
accomplishments and for their skills. "At literally every Council Meeting, she gave recognition to someone. It's
a positive way to start a meeting," said Cuoio.
"I think she's a wonderful role model, because she's down to earth and realistic and so inspiring. She looks
at the positive side of things --- it's that aloha spirit," Dolores Sibonga, a Filipina and former Seattle City
Councilmember was quoted.
Liddelll was born and raised in Hawaii. Her parents immigrated from the Philippines. Her father was from
Cebu who came to Hawaii as a "sakada" or plantation worker. Her mother was from Corregidor. Gene
Liddell was just three years old when her parents came to this country.
Her husband, John, describes her as someone with "a sincere desire to serve." This service manifests itself
in a particular interest in working with all women, Anglo and other minorities.
When Gene Liddell tendered her resignation as Mayor of Lacey last May 2, 1993, the citizens were shocked.
They didn't want to lose the most ideal and community oriented mayor the city ever had.
"The challenges of a full-time state leadership position requires a great deal of time and energy. Rather than
split my energies between two very important positions, I believe that it is in the best interest to devote my
best to this new challenge of a state-wide significance," explained Gene when she accepted the position as
Deputy Director of Human Services with the department of Community Development of the State of
Washington.
Her functions as a council member for the past six years included the areas of general government, budget
and finance, transportation, growth management, community relations and imtergovernmental cooperation.
E. Vic Bacho, a 1990 awardee of the Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans and a pioneering leader in the
Pacific Northwest area stated: "Gene Canque Liddell was a big asset to the Filipino-Americans in our region.
We were so proud of her as being the only Filipino mayor in this area Now, we are more proud of her because
her state-wide exposure will surely benefit the Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest."
Recently, before she relinquished her position as a mayor, Gene was bestowed one of the highest
accolades from another Asian group. According to Ms. Cassidy's article: "Some people are larger than life.
The 1993 Northwest Asian Filipina Woman of the Year is one such person. She is Gene Canque Liddell,
Mayor of Lacey, WA."
dedicated; and, E for enthusiasm. There was no limit to the number of awardees. It was given to those
prompted by worthiness.
"As Mayor of Lacey, Gene Canque Liddell made history in highlighting positive Filipino-American image not
only in her city of Lacey, or the State of Washington in the Pacific Northwest, but all over the United States
where Filipinos reside. As a role model and an inspiration, Gene Liddelll is top in the region," stated Consul
Nestor N. Padalhin, Acting Principal Officer of the Philippine Consulate General in Seattle, who nominated her
to be one of the awardees of this year's Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans.
As Mayor of Lacey, Gene introduced so many positive changes which were all welcomed by the citizens of
Lacey. She opened the Council meeting to the public and she gave due recognitions to citizens for their
accomplishments and for their skills. "At literally every Council Meeting, she gave recognition to someone. It's
a positive way to start a meeting," said Cuoio.
"I think she's a wonderful role model, because she's down to earth and realistic and so inspiring. She looks
at the positive side of things --- it's that aloha spirit," Dolores Sibonga, a Filipina and former Seattle City
Councilmember was quoted.
Liddelll was born and raised in Hawaii. Her parents immigrated from the Philippines. Her father was from
Cebu who came to Hawaii as a "sakada" or plantation worker. Her mother was from Corregidor. Gene
Liddell was just three years old when her parents came to this country.
Her husband, John, describes her as someone with "a sincere desire to serve." This service manifests itself
in a particular interest in working with all women, Anglo and other minorities.
When Gene Liddell tendered her resignation as Mayor of Lacey last May 2, 1993, the citizens were shocked.
They didn't want to lose the most ideal and community oriented mayor the city ever had.
"The challenges of a full-time state leadership position requires a great deal of time and energy. Rather than
split my energies between two very important positions, I believe that it is in the best interest to devote my
best to this new challenge of a state-wide significance," explained Gene when she accepted the position as
Deputy Director of Human Services with the department of Community Development of the State of
Washington.
Her functions as a council member for the past six years included the areas of general government, budget
and finance, transportation, growth management, community relations and imtergovernmental cooperation.
E. Vic Bacho, a 1990 awardee of the Twenty Outstanding Filipino-Americans and a pioneering leader in the
Pacific Northwest area stated: "Gene Canque Liddell was a big asset to the Filipino-Americans in our region.
We were so proud of her as being the only Filipino mayor in this area Now, we are more proud of her because
her state-wide exposure will surely benefit the Filipinos in the Pacific Northwest."
Recently, before she relinquished her position as a mayor, Gene was bestowed one of the highest
accolades from another Asian group. According to Ms. Cassidy's article: "Some people are larger than life.
The 1993 Northwest Asian Filipina Woman of the Year is one such person. She is Gene Canque Liddell,
Mayor of Lacey, WA."
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
| Copyright© 2006 Filipino Image. All rights Reserved. Advertise | Contract | Subscribe | Publisher | Contact Us |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |