Josie Fitial: Difference between revisions

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Fitial has placed emphasis on programs and initiatives relating to [[education]], [[health care]], [[recycling]] and the [[environment (biophysical)|environment]], as well as children, students and the [[elderly]].<ref name=nga/> She has been named an honorary [[goodwill ambassador]] of the [[Red Cross]], CNMI Chapter, and is a former member of the CNMI [[Lions Clubs International]].<ref name=nga/>
Fitial has placed emphasis on programs and initiatives relating to [[education]], [[health care]], [[recycling]] and the [[environment (biophysical)|environment]], as well as children, students and the [[elderly]].<ref name=nga/> She has been named an honorary [[goodwill ambassador]] of the [[Red Cross]], CNMI Chapter, and is a former member of the CNMI [[Lions Clubs International]].<ref name=nga/>


Fitial has established the Vision Foundation,<ref name=st3/> which promotes charitable causes within the Northern Mariana Islands. A focus of Fitial's [[Foundation (nonprofit organization)|foundation]] has been the donations of books and other literature to CNMI public schools.<ref name=st3>{{cite news |first=Marconi|last=Calindas|title= First Lady Foundation donates Japanese books to MHS|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=65810 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher= |date=2008-05-18 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> Among Fitial's contributions through her organization has been the contribution of more than 500 books to the Dandan Elementary School<ref name=st4>{{cite news |first=Marconi|last=Calindas|title= First lady delivers 500 books to DES |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=65516 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher= |date=2007-02-18 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> and Japanese-language books to Saipan-Marianas High School.<ref name=st3/> Fitial has also used money raised to fund [[senior citizen]] and children's programs, as well as [[beautification]] programs within the CNMI.<ref name=st7>{{cite news |first=Rianne|last=Pangelinan |title= Foundation gets $15K donation|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=74085|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2007-11-08 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref>
Fitial has established the Vision Foundation,<ref name=st3/> which promotes charitable causes within the Northern Mariana Islands. A focus of Fitial's [[Foundation (nonprofit organization)|foundation]] has been the donations of books and other literature to CNMI public schools.<ref name=st3>{{cite news|first=Marconi|last=Calindas|title=First Lady Foundation donates Japanese books to MHS|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=65810|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2008-05-18|accessdate=2009-07-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220100056/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=65810&cat=1|archivedate=2007-02-20|df=}}</ref> Among Fitial's contributions through her organization has been the contribution of more than 500 books to the Dandan Elementary School<ref name=st4>{{cite news|first=Marconi|last=Calindas|title=First lady delivers 500 books to DES|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=65516|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2007-02-18|accessdate=2009-07-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221112713/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=65516&cat=1|archivedate=2007-02-21|df=}}</ref> and Japanese-language books to Saipan-Marianas High School.<ref name=st3/> Fitial has also used money raised to fund [[senior citizen]] and children's programs, as well as [[beautification]] programs within the CNMI.<ref name=st7>{{cite news|first=Rianne|last=Pangelinan|title=Foundation gets $15K donation|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=74085|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2007-11-08|accessdate=2009-07-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224073951/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=74085|archivedate=2012-02-24|df=}}</ref>


Additionally, Fitial has pushed [[recycling]] programs, as [[waste disposal]] is a major problem afflicting the CNMI.<ref name=st5>{{cite news |first=Liberty|last=Dones|title= First lady shows interest in recycling project |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=54783|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher= |date=2006-02-12 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref> She has also promoted the role of the Filipino community within the Northern Mariana Islands as First Lady.<ref name=st6>{{cite news |first=Agnes E.|last=Donato|title= Filipinos on Tinian form new group |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=21&newsID=57870|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher= |date=2006-05-27 |accessdate=2009-07-21}}</ref>
Additionally, Fitial has pushed [[recycling]] programs, as [[waste disposal]] is a major problem afflicting the CNMI.<ref name=st5>{{cite news|first=Liberty|last=Dones|title=First lady shows interest in recycling project|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=54783|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2006-02-12|accessdate=2009-07-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224074000/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=54783|archivedate=2012-02-24|df=}}</ref> She has also promoted the role of the Filipino community within the Northern Mariana Islands as First Lady.<ref name=st6>{{cite news|first=Agnes E.|last=Donato|title=Filipinos on Tinian form new group|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=21&newsID=57870|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2006-05-27|accessdate=2009-07-21|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224074014/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=21&newsID=57870|archivedate=2012-02-24|df=}}</ref>


On November 12, 2008, Fitial issued a [[letter (message)|letter]] to the [[First Lady of the United States]] [[Laura Bush]]. In her letter, Fitial appealed to Bush to ask [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] and the [[federal government]] to halt the designation of the proposed [[Marianas Trench Marine National Monument]] in the Northern Mariana Islands.<ref name=st>{{cite news |first=Nazario|last=Rodriguez Jr.|title=Josie appeals to Laura not to push marine monument |url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=85447 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher= |date=2008-11-20 |accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref><ref name=st2>{{cite news |first=Emmanuel|last=Erediano|title=NMI first lady asks Mrs. Bush to oppose monument bid|url=http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12771:nmi-first-lady-asks-mrs-bush-to-oppose-monument-bid&catid=1:local-news&Itemid=2 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2008-11-20 |accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref> The designation was opposed by Fitial, the government of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Carolinian Affairs Advisory Committee and the [[Guam Legislature]].<ref name=st/> All feared harm to the local [[economy]] and cultural practices if the national monument was created.<ref name=st/> In her letter, Fitial wrote that the monument designation was avoidable and appealed to Bush, "We are simple [[United States|Americans]], a globally responsible [[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|Commonwealth of the U.S.]] We honor and uphold a long tradition of coexistence with Mother Ocean. Island heritage passed down from our elders teaches us that we and nature are one."<ref name=st/> Despite the appeals, President Bush created the national monument on January 6, 2009.<ref name=doi>{{cite news |title=President Bush Creates Three New Pacific Marine Monuments in U.S. Pacific Insular Areas |url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/press/2009/01062009.html|work=[[Office of Insular Affairs]]|publisher=[[Department of the Interior]] |date=2008-01-06 |accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref> Both First Lady Fitial and the Governor were present for the ceremony.<ref name=st/>
On November 12, 2008, Fitial issued a [[letter (message)|letter]] to the [[First Lady of the United States]] [[Laura Bush]]. In her letter, Fitial appealed to Bush to ask [[President of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] and the [[federal government]] to halt the designation of the proposed [[Marianas Trench Marine National Monument]] in the Northern Mariana Islands.<ref name=st>{{cite news|first=Nazario|last=Rodriguez Jr.|title=Josie appeals to Laura not to push marine monument|url=http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=85447|work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2008-11-20|accessdate=2009-07-18|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224073540/http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=85447|archivedate=2012-02-24|df=}}</ref><ref name=st2>{{cite news |first=Emmanuel|last=Erediano|title=NMI first lady asks Mrs. Bush to oppose monument bid|url=http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12771:nmi-first-lady-asks-mrs-bush-to-oppose-monument-bid&catid=1:local-news&Itemid=2 |work=[[Saipan Tribune]]|publisher=|date=2008-11-20 |accessdate=2009-07-18}}</ref> The designation was opposed by Fitial, the government of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Carolinian Affairs Advisory Committee and the [[Guam Legislature]].<ref name=st/> All feared harm to the local [[economy]] and cultural practices if the national monument was created.<ref name=st/> In her letter, Fitial wrote that the monument designation was avoidable and appealed to Bush, "We are simple [[United States|Americans]], a globally responsible [[Commonwealth (U.S. insular area)|Commonwealth of the U.S.]] We honor and uphold a long tradition of coexistence with Mother Ocean. Island heritage passed down from our elders teaches us that we and nature are one."<ref name=st/> Despite the appeals, President Bush created the national monument on January 6, 2009.<ref name=doi>{{cite news |title=President Bush Creates Three New Pacific Marine Monuments in U.S. Pacific Insular Areas |url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/press/2009/01062009.html |work=[[Office of Insular Affairs]] |publisher=[[Department of the Interior]] |date=2008-01-06 |accessdate=2009-07-18 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808080000/http://www.doi.gov/oia/press/2009/01062009.html |archivedate=2009-08-08 |df= }}</ref> Both First Lady Fitial and the Governor were present for the ceremony.<ref name=st/>


In a 2009 interview with the ''[[Marianas Variety]]'', Fitial noted that she had risen from an immigrant and waitress to having now met three [[U.S. President]]s - [[George H.W. Bush]], George W. Bush and [[Barack Obama]].<ref name=mv/>
In a 2009 interview with the ''[[Marianas Variety]]'', Fitial noted that she had risen from an immigrant and waitress to having now met three [[U.S. President]]s - [[George H.W. Bush]], George W. Bush and [[Barack Obama]].<ref name=mv/>

Revision as of 08:23, 1 December 2017

Josie Fitial
Josie Fitial in 2009
First Lady of the Northern Mariana Islands
In role
January 9, 2006 – February 20, 2013
Preceded byDiane Babauta
Succeeded byDolores Inos
Personal details
Born (1962-11-25) November 25, 1962 (age 61)
Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Political partyCovenant
SpouseBenigno Fitial
Children2 children; 4 stepchildren
Alma materUniversity of the East-Recto

Josepina "Josie" Padiermos Fitial (born November 25, 1962) is the former First Lady of the Northern Mariana Islands and the wife of former Governor Benigno Fitial. She became First Lady upon the inauguration of her husband as the 7th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands on January 9, 2006.[1]

Biography

Early life

Fitial, who is nicknamed Josie, was born Josepina Padiermos, in 1962 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines.[1][2] She was the oldest child of four children of a poor family.[2] She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of the East in Manila.[1]

Padiermos moved to the Northern Mariana Islands in 1983 to financially support her family in the Philippines.[1] There she met her future husband, Benigno Fitial, a politician, while working as a waitress on Saipan.[2] The couple later married and had two children, Patrick and Christina, in addition to Benigno Fitial's four children from a previous marriage, Jason, Cathy, Junella and Julie.[1]

First Lady of the Northern Mariana Islands

Benigno Fitial would later serve as the Speaker of the Northern Mariana Islands House of Representatives and the Governor of the CNMI beginning in 2006.[1] Josie Fitial became First Lady of the Northern Mariana Islands when her husband took office on January 9, 2006.

Fitial has placed emphasis on programs and initiatives relating to education, health care, recycling and the environment, as well as children, students and the elderly.[1] She has been named an honorary goodwill ambassador of the Red Cross, CNMI Chapter, and is a former member of the CNMI Lions Clubs International.[1]

Fitial has established the Vision Foundation,[3] which promotes charitable causes within the Northern Mariana Islands. A focus of Fitial's foundation has been the donations of books and other literature to CNMI public schools.[3] Among Fitial's contributions through her organization has been the contribution of more than 500 books to the Dandan Elementary School[4] and Japanese-language books to Saipan-Marianas High School.[3] Fitial has also used money raised to fund senior citizen and children's programs, as well as beautification programs within the CNMI.[5]

Additionally, Fitial has pushed recycling programs, as waste disposal is a major problem afflicting the CNMI.[6] She has also promoted the role of the Filipino community within the Northern Mariana Islands as First Lady.[7]

On November 12, 2008, Fitial issued a letter to the First Lady of the United States Laura Bush. In her letter, Fitial appealed to Bush to ask President George W. Bush and the federal government to halt the designation of the proposed Marianas Trench Marine National Monument in the Northern Mariana Islands.[8][9] The designation was opposed by Fitial, the government of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Carolinian Affairs Advisory Committee and the Guam Legislature.[8] All feared harm to the local economy and cultural practices if the national monument was created.[8] In her letter, Fitial wrote that the monument designation was avoidable and appealed to Bush, "We are simple Americans, a globally responsible Commonwealth of the U.S. We honor and uphold a long tradition of coexistence with Mother Ocean. Island heritage passed down from our elders teaches us that we and nature are one."[8] Despite the appeals, President Bush created the national monument on January 6, 2009.[10] Both First Lady Fitial and the Governor were present for the ceremony.[8]

In a 2009 interview with the Marianas Variety, Fitial noted that she had risen from an immigrant and waitress to having now met three U.S. Presidents - George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Governor Spouse's Information, Josie Fitial". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2009-01-03. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b c d Casas, Gemma Q. (2009-05-05). "From waiting tables to meeting 3 US presidents". Marianas Variety. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  3. ^ a b c Calindas, Marconi (2008-05-18). "First Lady Foundation donates Japanese books to MHS". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Calindas, Marconi (2007-02-18). "First lady delivers 500 books to DES". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Pangelinan, Rianne (2007-11-08). "Foundation gets $15K donation". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Dones, Liberty (2006-02-12). "First lady shows interest in recycling project". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ Donato, Agnes E. (2006-05-27). "Filipinos on Tinian form new group". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-07-21. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e Rodriguez Jr., Nazario (2008-11-20). "Josie appeals to Laura not to push marine monument". Saipan Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-02-24. Retrieved 2009-07-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Erediano, Emmanuel (2008-11-20). "NMI first lady asks Mrs. Bush to oppose monument bid". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 2009-07-18.
  10. ^ "President Bush Creates Three New Pacific Marine Monuments in U.S. Pacific Insular Areas". Office of Insular Affairs. Department of the Interior. 2008-01-06. Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 2009-07-18. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
Honorary titles
Preceded by First Lady of the Northern Mariana Islands
January 6, 2006 – February 20, 2013
Succeeded by
Incumbent