Gloria T. Caoile
and Pacific Islander Community. She was a founding member of
the Asian Pacific American Women Leadership Institute
(APAWLI), the only national organization dedicated to nurturing
and developing leadership skills among Asian American and Pacific
Islander women. She was also a founding member of the Asian
Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), a national organization
of Asian Pacific American labor union members. She has served on
the boards of several civil rights groups including the Filipino
American Civil Rights Advocates and the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations.
In May 2000, President Clinton appointed Gloria to the White House Advisory Commission of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to advise the president and the federal government on how best to respond to the health needs of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Besides her work with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, Gloria has devoted a significant amount of her time promoting community and economic development programs that help the poor in the Philippines. In recognition of her work, Philippine President Fidel Ramos, in 1997, presented Gloria with one of the Philippines' highest civic award. In 200l, Filipinas Magazine presented Gloria its Achievement Award for Community Service. She is also the recipient of the l999 "Filipina First" award, a program sponsored by the Philippine American Foundation to honor Filipino-American women and their unique achievements.
Gloria's professional experience includes more than 30 years of service with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a l.3 million-member union. At the time of her retirement, she was the assistant to the AFSCME President. Although retired, AFSCME continues to call on Gloria for special assignments. In her most recent service, Gloria led a disaster response and relief team to help 3,000 AFSCME survivors of hurricane Katrina. She previously headed a similar effort on behalf of AFSCME a few days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. She personally managed the AFSCME September 11 Fallen Heroes Fund to assist members who were directly affected by the tragedy.
Gloria is currently an active volunteer promoting Asian American and Pacific Islander participation in the political process. She is directly responsible for the successful formation of a partnership between labor and the Asian American and Pacific Islander community to advance voter participation. Her present efforts include promoting voter registration, voter education, and election-day voter activities in several states.
She encourages members of the immigrant community to vote, to volunteer in civic organizations, and to do their part in helping America maintain a healthy democracy. She believes if American institutions remain equitable, fair, and merit-based, everyone will have a chance at economic success. Civic involvement continues to be her lifelong passion and commitment.
A resident of Springfield, Virginia, Gloria is married to Benjamin and they have a daughter, Melanie.