Olongapo City observes today the 103rd birthday of its first woman mayor and Pearl S. Buck International awardee Amelia J. Gordon whose humanitarian service had “touched numerous lives and served as inspiration to other social workers.”
Founder of the Olongapo chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross, Mrs. Gordon was the mother of former Senator Richard Gordon and incumbent Olongapo Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr.
She was elected mayor in 1969 following the assassination of her husband James Sr. who fought for Olongapo’s independence from the Americans and was responsible for its cityhood in 1966.
During her term, the Vietnam War was at its height, and Olongapo saw thousands of American sailors descending on the city for rest and recreation.
Feisty and strong-willed yet with a caring heart for the marginalized sector, the Gordon matriarch managed to maintain the city’s peace and order and kept criminal syndicates at bay, while building a Boys’ and Girls’ Home for orphaned and abandoned children.
She also undertook a massive housing development program that decongested the city and benefitted its ballooning population.
In 1984 after serving as mayor, Gordon was elected Assemblywoman to the Batasang Pambansa.
Retiring later from politics, she continued being an active Red Cross volunteer: spearheading blood donation programs, and helping the needy, notably the victims of disasters.
For her meritorious work and achievement, Gordon joined the ranks of former US First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former President Corazon Aquino when she was named Pearl S. Buck International Woman of the Year in 2002.
She was also accorded the Silver Humanitarian Service Cross Award by the American National Red Cross and the Gold Humanitarian Service Cross Award by the Philippine National Red Cross.
Gordon was likewise a Gintong Ina awardee, a Dona Aurora Aragon Quezon Medal awardee, and recipient of the Philippine Centennial Commission Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.