Loida Lewis Discusses Leadership and Filipino American Visibility in Business

HONOLULU (Hawaii News Now) – Loida Nicolas Lewis, a prominent Filipino businesswoman and philanthropist, may not be as widely recognized as other Filipino figures, but she has made significant strides in business and leadership. In a recent interview, she recounted her journey from Sorsogon, Philippines, to becoming a trailblazer in the U.S. legal and business landscape.

In 1974, she achieved the distinction of being the first Asian and Filipino woman to pass the New York bar exam without attending a U.S. law school. Following a successful suit against the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for discrimination, she became the first Filipina general attorney within the agency in 1978. As she reflects on her career this Filipino American History Month, Lewis commends Hawaii for empowering Filipino leaders and urges greater political engagement among Filipino Americans.