| Thelma Garcia Buchhholdt, ESQ. Anchorage, Alaska Alaska's "Can Do" Leader • First Filipina State Legislator |
From 1974 to 1982, Thelma Buchholdt Garcia of Anchorage,
Alaska had the distinct honor of being the first and only Filipino
woman in the United States elected as a member of a state
legislature. As a legislator, Thelma served as Chairperson of
the House Committee on Health, Education and Social Services.
She was a member of the House on Finance, Rules and
Judiciary; and, was a Legislator-member of the Alaska
Post-Secondary Education Committee.
"Thelma Buchholdt is an epitome of a perfect role model and
inspiration to the Filipinos across the United States. She did not,
however, had wide exposure with Filipino-American news-media
and not enough news articles disseminating her outstanding
achievements," observed one of the leaders from the Seattle
Filipino Community. "Her accomplishments were only
publicized in the Pacific Northwest; so, only the Filipinos in our
region were aware of her stature as a legislator. We're sure
FIL-AM IMAGE will take care of this problem by nationally
highlighting her accomplishments."
After eight years as a State Legislature preparing statewide
education budget and improving formula of Alaska's funding
Alaska had the distinct honor of being the first and only Filipino
woman in the United States elected as a member of a state
legislature. As a legislator, Thelma served as Chairperson of
the House Committee on Health, Education and Social Services.
She was a member of the House on Finance, Rules and
Judiciary; and, was a Legislator-member of the Alaska
Post-Secondary Education Committee.
"Thelma Buchholdt is an epitome of a perfect role model and
inspiration to the Filipinos across the United States. She did not,
however, had wide exposure with Filipino-American news-media
and not enough news articles disseminating her outstanding
achievements," observed one of the leaders from the Seattle
Filipino Community. "Her accomplishments were only
publicized in the Pacific Northwest; so, only the Filipinos in our
region were aware of her stature as a legislator. We're sure
FIL-AM IMAGE will take care of this problem by nationally
highlighting her accomplishments."
After eight years as a State Legislature preparing statewide
education budget and improving formula of Alaska's funding
support for public education, Thelma decided to devote ample time to her present profession, which she
started in 1971 , as an independent planning consultant on issues on community organization,
education, health, social services and local government.
Thelma's efforts to highlight Filipino-American positive image have been noticeable from the first moment
she relocated to Alaska in 1965 from Southern California. She also resided in Schenectady, New York where
she was an elementary schoolteacher for eight years. Her active involment with local, state and national
politics in Alaska, paved the direction forThelma to grasp the opportunity to learn the ins and outs in the
political arena. She has been member of the Alaska State Advisory Committee of the United States
Commission on Civil Rights for more than 32 years, and a for the last ten years, she served as Trustee of the
Filipino-American National Historical Society. Thelma served as President of the Filipino Community of
Anchorage from 1973 to 1975. Active with the Democratic Party, in the national scene, she was
Chairperson for the State of Alaska for McGovern for President campaign; Vice Chairperson for the Alaska
Delegation to the National Democratic Convention in Miami as well as a designate Alaska Delegate in the
last year's Democratic National Convention in New York.
Born in Claveria, Cagayan in the Northern Philippines with an Ibanag-Ilocano ethnic background, humble
and sort-of-shy whenever queried on her activities, Thelma's stock answer is: "I am just a homemaker, a
wife and a mother of four from 1957 to the present." However, Thelma's legacies to the citizens of Alaska in
general, and the Filipino people in particular, are both unbeatable and difficult to surpass, to say the least.
Aside from having the distinct honor as the first Asian woman and the first Filipino woman to be elected State
Legislator, she will also be leaving a remarkable legacy of being the only Asian woman and the only Filipina
ever to be elected as President of the National Order of Women Legislature in 1988 to 1989, an elite group
and powerful bloc of women legislators from all over the United States, including the territorial areas.
Through Thelma's untiring efforts, she produced an edifice that will forever be the pride of the citizens of
Anchorage. Since 1980, for almost eight years, Thelma conceived, initiated and successfully achieved the
near-impossible task-- the construction and establishment of the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. To quote
the March 7, 1988 Resolution extolling Thelma that was passed by the Alaska State Legislature verbatim:
"In 1980, as a result of efforts by Representative Thelma Buchholdt, the Alaska States Legislature obtained
initial planning funds for an Asian Center to be located in Anchorage. Three years later, Representative Joe
Hayes and Representative Vern Hurlbert worked with Governor Bill Sheffield in obtaining $600,000 in state
funding to construct the Asian Center. In 1983, the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center was incorporated as a
non-profit organization.
"One individual in particular, Thelma Buchholdt, deserves our special thanks for sharing her vision with us.
As the first Filipino woman state legislator in the United States, a founder of the Asian Alaskan Cultural
Center, and current President of their Board of Directors, the Alaska State Legislature commends Thelma for
her enthusiasm and dedication to this cause."
"Today, eight years after the initial funding was made available, Alaskan are afforded an opportunity to visit the
newly constructed center. May this landmark serves as a reminder of our mutual respect for the Asian and
American cultures, and be a tribute to the Asian Alaskan community for the future generations."
started in 1971 , as an independent planning consultant on issues on community organization,
education, health, social services and local government.
Thelma's efforts to highlight Filipino-American positive image have been noticeable from the first moment
she relocated to Alaska in 1965 from Southern California. She also resided in Schenectady, New York where
she was an elementary schoolteacher for eight years. Her active involment with local, state and national
politics in Alaska, paved the direction forThelma to grasp the opportunity to learn the ins and outs in the
political arena. She has been member of the Alaska State Advisory Committee of the United States
Commission on Civil Rights for more than 32 years, and a for the last ten years, she served as Trustee of the
Filipino-American National Historical Society. Thelma served as President of the Filipino Community of
Anchorage from 1973 to 1975. Active with the Democratic Party, in the national scene, she was
Chairperson for the State of Alaska for McGovern for President campaign; Vice Chairperson for the Alaska
Delegation to the National Democratic Convention in Miami as well as a designate Alaska Delegate in the
last year's Democratic National Convention in New York.
Born in Claveria, Cagayan in the Northern Philippines with an Ibanag-Ilocano ethnic background, humble
and sort-of-shy whenever queried on her activities, Thelma's stock answer is: "I am just a homemaker, a
wife and a mother of four from 1957 to the present." However, Thelma's legacies to the citizens of Alaska in
general, and the Filipino people in particular, are both unbeatable and difficult to surpass, to say the least.
Aside from having the distinct honor as the first Asian woman and the first Filipino woman to be elected State
Legislator, she will also be leaving a remarkable legacy of being the only Asian woman and the only Filipina
ever to be elected as President of the National Order of Women Legislature in 1988 to 1989, an elite group
and powerful bloc of women legislators from all over the United States, including the territorial areas.
Through Thelma's untiring efforts, she produced an edifice that will forever be the pride of the citizens of
Anchorage. Since 1980, for almost eight years, Thelma conceived, initiated and successfully achieved the
near-impossible task-- the construction and establishment of the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center. To quote
the March 7, 1988 Resolution extolling Thelma that was passed by the Alaska State Legislature verbatim:
"In 1980, as a result of efforts by Representative Thelma Buchholdt, the Alaska States Legislature obtained
initial planning funds for an Asian Center to be located in Anchorage. Three years later, Representative Joe
Hayes and Representative Vern Hurlbert worked with Governor Bill Sheffield in obtaining $600,000 in state
funding to construct the Asian Center. In 1983, the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center was incorporated as a
non-profit organization.
"One individual in particular, Thelma Buchholdt, deserves our special thanks for sharing her vision with us.
As the first Filipino woman state legislator in the United States, a founder of the Asian Alaskan Cultural
Center, and current President of their Board of Directors, the Alaska State Legislature commends Thelma for
her enthusiasm and dedication to this cause."
"Today, eight years after the initial funding was made available, Alaskan are afforded an opportunity to visit the
newly constructed center. May this landmark serves as a reminder of our mutual respect for the Asian and
American cultures, and be a tribute to the Asian Alaskan community for the future generations."
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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