Dolores Sibonga

Dolores Dasalla Sibonga is Washington’s first Filipina American female lawyer. In 1978, she became the first minority female to serve on the Seattle City Council, when she was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Phyllis Lamphere, she chose not to run to fill that seat for a full term. In 1979, Sibonga was elected to city council and served until 1992 when she chose not to run for reelection. Sibonga stated that her mother encouraged her to pursue a career in journalism because, "...she had so much respect for Victor Velasco, the longtime editor and publisher of the Filipino Forum." She earned her journalism degree from the University of Washington in 1952. After Velasco passed away in 1968, due to a cannery fire, Sibonga and her husband Martin purchased the Filipino Forum.

Legal career

Sibonga's husband suggested she take a summer class at University of Washington aimed at assisting ethnic minorities interested in going to law school. Sibonga initially worked as a defense attorney before becoming a legislative analyst for the King County Council.

Seattle city council

In 1978, Sibonga achieved another historical first by becoming the first minority female to serve on the Seattle City Council when she was appointed to fill the seat vacated by Phyllis Lamphere. She would choose not to run to serve the remainder of the term, instead running in the 1979 election to replace outgoing councilmember Tim Hill. In the November general election Sibonga defeated Moffett, 55% to 45%, becoming the first minority woman elected to the council. Sibonga ran for reelection in 1983 and won the general lection in a landslide against Frank Doolittle, the chairman of Board of Public Works, 64% to 36%. In 1987 she defeated future council member Margaret Pageler 57% to 43%. Afterwards, her bid for council presidency failed. The ordinance passed in 1984, providing $5,000 to the employees. She was a critic of the Disney plan, and worked to maintain minimal changes to the area.

Post city council

Sibonga returned to practicing law after leaving city council. In 1998, she was appointed to a two year term on the Horse Racing Commission immediately followed by a five year term on the Human Rights Commission.

In 2023, she earned the International Examiner Lifetime Achievement award.