Filipina Women’s Network Successfully Launches Book Donation Featuring Stories of Empowered Filipina Women
L-R: Janet Mendoza Stickmon, Michelle Florendo, Lucille Tenazas, Alicia del Prado and Ellen Samson – book authors across the five Disrupt volumes share their experiences during the Q&A session moderated by Ms. Jaena Cabrera, Filipino American Center Program Manager for the San Francisco Public Library (rightmost) (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – The Foundation For Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) successfully launched its book donation initiative, “DISRUPTing Northern California: A Library on Every Block”, held on 29 July 2026 at the Koret Auditorium of the San Francisco Public Library.
Co-organized with the San Francisco Public Library, the event also served as a tribute to the late Library Commissioner Helen Marte Bautista, an FWN founding member, a 2009 recipient of the Most Influential Filipina Woman in the U.S. Award, and a longtime member of the SFPL Library Commission.
In his keynote speech, San Francisco City and County Mayor Daniel Lurie underscored the contribution of FWN in the community. “I am proud that the Filipina Women’s Network was founded here in San Francisco. You help expand the influence of women as leaders not just in our city but around the world. The Disrupt book series celebrates and documents those stories”, Mayor Lurie said.
Mayor Lurie also presented a Certificate of Honor posthumously recognizing Ms. Helen Marte Bautista’s decades of advocacy and public service. Ms. Bautista championed access to literacy and knowledge and advocated tirelessly for senior housing, human rights, and women’s leadership. The certificate was accepted by her daughter, Ms. Andreliz Bautista McGlade, and her two granddaughters.
Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon also paid tribute to Ms. Bautista, honoring her lifelong commitment to public service, literacy, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of Filipina women. He likewise recognized Ms. Marily Mondejar, FWN founder and CEO, and the authors of the DISRUPT book series for documenting deeply personal journeys of overcoming barriers and demonstrating resilience—stories that may resonate with the experiences of Filipinos and Filipina women throughout the diaspora.
Ms. Mondejar together with Mr. Michael Lambert, City Librarian of the San Francisco Public Library, led the ceremonial turnover of the donated books to representatives of public libraries across the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Daly City, South San Francisco, Stockton-San Joaquin County, and San Mateo County. Other recipients of the book donation included libraries from Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Through the initiative, FWN plans to donate a total of 300 books to public libraries throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, expanding access to stories of Filipina leadership, resilience, and achievement. The DISRUPT book series is a five-volume groundbreaking publication that documents the leadership stories of 167 Filipina authors. The series chronicles their journeys and victories over poverty, domestic violence, incarceration, discrimination, harassment, and other barriers. Through their personal narratives, the authors explore how these experiences shaped their worldviews, leadership identities, life purposes, power, and influence.END
Mayor Daniel Lurie presents a Certificate of Honor for the late Library Commissioner Helen Marte Bautista to Ms. Andreliz Bautista McGlade, daughter of Ms. Bautista and founder and CEO of Pharmacopia, Inc., and granddaughters (San Francisco PCG photo)
Ms. Marily Mondejar, founder and CEO of the Filipina Women’s Network, Mr. Michael Lambert, San Francisco City Librarian, and Ms. Benel Se-Liban of FWN facilitate the turnover of books to various library-beneficiaries (San Francisco PCG photos)
FWN’s Ms. Marily Mondejar (2nd from right) introduces Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon (rightmost) to Ms. Jaena Cabrera (leftmost), Program Manager of the Filipino American Center of the San Francisco Public Library (San Francisco PCG photo)