Francisca Tirona-Benitez

Francisca Tirona-Benitez (June 4, 1886 – November 17, 1974) was a Filipino educator, humanitarian, civic leader, and administrator. She is a co-founder of the Philippine Women's University. She was elected as its president in 1920. During the Japanese occupation period she was appointed by then President José Laurel as head of the Women's Bureau. When the war ended she came back to the Philippine Women's University where she served as its president until her retirement in 1965.

Francisca was also an active civic leader. She helped in founding of civic organizations including Gota de Leche where she served as director, Associacion de Damas Filipinas and the Civic Assembly of Women in the Philippines which later renamed National Council of Women of the Philippines.

Later life and death

She was permanently disabled by a hip injury in 1970, and died on November 17, 1974, at the age of 88.

Personal life She was married to Conrado Benitez from 1912 until his death in 1971 and the mother of Helena Benitez.