Dolores Sibonga

WHEREAS, Dolores Sibonga, born in 1931 on Vashon Island, 1
Washington, has been a trailblazer for Filipino Americans and women 2
of color, dedicating her life to public service, justice, and equity; 3
and 4
WHEREAS, Dolores Sibonga defied barriers early in her life, 5
becoming the first Filipino American to graduate from the University 6
of Washington's journalism program in 1952 and co-owning The Filipino 7
Forum, a newspaper that amplified the voices and concerns of Asian, 8
Black, immigrant, and Indigenous communities in Seattle; and9
WHEREAS, In 1973, Dolores Sibonga made history as the first 10
Filipino American, man or woman, to pass the Washington State bar 11
exam, paving the way for future generations of Filipino American 12
legal professionals; and 13
WHEREAS, In 1978, Dolores Sibonga became the first woman of color 14
to serve on the Seattle City Council, a position she held for over a 15
decade; and 16
WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure on the Seattle City Council, 17
Dolores Sibonga was a staunch advocate for labor rights, civil 18
rights, and social justice, introducing key legislation, such as the 19
reparations ordinance for employees fired during World War II due to 20
their Japanese ancestry, and consistently fighting for the well-being 21
of marginalized communities; and 22
SENATE RESOLUTION
8631
By Senators Saldaña, Hasegawa, and Kauffman
p. 1 8631
WHEREAS, Dolores Sibonga's service extended beyond her time 1
on the city council, including roles as a public defender, 2
deputy director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission, 3
and mentor to numerous community leaders; and 4
WHEREAS, Dolores Sibonga remains a catalyst for positive 5
change, still contributing to her community through advisory 6
roles and serving on multiple boards, including the King County 7
Board of Tax Appeals and Equalization; and 8
WHEREAS, Dolores Sibonga's enduring legacy of courage, 9
perseverance, and dedication to public service continues to 10
inspire generations of activists, community leaders, and public 11
servants; 12
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State 13
Senate recognize and honor Dolores Sibonga for her 14
groundbreaking contributions to the legal profession, public 15
service, and her tireless advocacy for justice and equity; and 16
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate 17
encourage all residents of Washington State to reflect on the 18
legacy of Dolores Sibonga and celebrate the many social, 19
political, economic, and cultural contributions she and other 20
Filipino Americans have made to Washington State and across the 21
nation. 22
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 23
do hereby certify that this is a true and 24
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8631, 25
adopted by the Senate 26
April 22, 2025 27
SARAH BANNISTER 28
Secretary of the Senate 29
p. 2 8631