Women who make a great impact

Women in the CNMI have been breaking so many glass ceilings throughout the centuries that this matriarchal slice of the world has been showing the world by example how a community benefits when women are confident and act for the welfare of the community. The following sampling shows that women could also be game changers, that women cannot be limited and that making a positive impact is not a reward in itself but foreshadows what future generations of women can do for the CNMI.

FIRST LADY DIANN TORRES
First Lady Diann Torres Foundation

First Lady Diann Torres created her namesake foundation after her husband, Ralph DLG Torres, became CNMI governor in 2015. The foundation’s core mission is to make people’s lives better and this is seen in the foundation’s various activities in supporting fundraising events, promotion of literacy and the Chamorro and Carolinian languages, cultural exchanges, women empowerment, Christmas village, promotion of young authors and advocacy for the rights of people with disabilities.
The foundation has been doing relief operations for victims of Super Typhoon Yutu; just recently, it distributed clothes.
The first lady and governor have six children: Ralph Anthony, Vaniqa Marie, Deon Titus, Tristan Dane, Divannie, and Ryan.

REP. TINA SABLAN
Independent, District No. 2

Rep. Tina Sablan is not new to public service. She was the outreach coordinator and deputy communications director for Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP); a member of the 16th House of Representatives; a reporter and anchor for KSPN2 News; program manager for the Commonwealth Cancer Association; and an environmental specialist at the Division of Environmental Quality.
Sablan’s first journey to the Legislature was in 2007. Her campaign for office stood in stark contrast to the typical waving parties, colored T-shirts and expensive signs. Instead, she sat on a bench along Beach Road and invited citizens to come, sit and share what they thought the government can do better.
Her recent campaign ran on similar terms, where conversations about building a safer, healthier, and more beautiful Marianas with her constituents meant more. “I believe in development that builds pride in our community and respects our island culture and environment, a government that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of our people,” she said.
“I would like opportunities for all citizens to pursue an excellent education, gain meaningful work, and participate in civic life,” she added.

ESTHER MUÑA
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

As chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Health Center, Muña oversaw several improvements and completed projects at the sole hospital in the CNMI that encompassed public health services, behavioral health services and community health services.
She was responsible for removing Immediate Jeopardy findings and developing systems of care that met the standards of quality care, returning the hospital dialysis unit to 100-percent compliance with Medicare’s Condition of Participation and the Hospital Laboratory to 100-percent compliance with certification, improving the financial status of the CHCC from a $5-million operation to a $55 million operation, improving and correcting audit findings from several years, and introducing a new revenue generating scheme by opening a hospital outpatient pharmacy that ensured the access to lower-priced drugs.

REP. TERESITA APATANG SANTOS
Independent, Rota

As the only female senator in the 21st Legislature, Santos’ mission, according to her webpage, states that she will continue to support legislation that seeks to improve our economy. Her issues involve improving utilities, transportation, and telecommunications because she believes those are important components of the economy. She also aims to enhance the health, education, welfare and safety of people to ensure overall prosperity.

MARIANNE CONCEPCION-TEREGEYO
Department of Public Lands

During her tenure as DPL secretary, the department successfully completed the long-awaited Comprehensive Land Use Plan; the last plan was updated in 1989. 
DPL also successfully received unqualified financial audits for fiscal years 2016 and 2017—the first ever for DPL
The department is a trustee for people of Northern Marianas descent, the collective owners of public lands. When negotiating land leases, DPL ensures that NMDs benefit by seeking the highest and best use of value as determined by independent appraisal reports, and ensure that public benefits are re-directed in homestead subdivisions where NMDs truly reside. 

REP. JANET ULLOA MARATITA
Republican, District No.1

According to her webpage on cnmileg.gov.mp: “I pledge to keep a true compass for the common good of all residents. Simply put, ‘People before politics, people ahead of party.’

VICKY BENAVENTE
CNMI Labor Secretary

Vicky Benavente was confirmed by the 20th Legislature and sworn into office as Labor secretary by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in 2017. Prior to becoming labor chief, she was the special assistant for Project Development for the Office of the Governor since August 2016 and held the position of managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority from 2000 to 2006 where she developed marketing campaigns designed to improve the visibility of the Northern Mariana Islands in key travel markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
Benavente’s wide experience in labor also comes from working in private companies, as executive manager of Pacific Islands Club Saipan from 2008 to 2016 and a manager at the Hyatt Regency Saipan from 2006 to 2008. She was also a deputy managing director for MVA from 1998 to 2000.