Agnes Cammer
community - working with all kinds of people, understanding their problems and helping find solutions. It brought her awareness and
sensitivity to the needs of the disadvantaged community. Specifically to new immigrants, she advises: “..leave behind dated customs in the
airport and have a clear assessment of goals; make conscious decisions in this path towards success… be ready to take responsibility to
reach out to the community, and there will be a response”.
In her mission to help as many as possible, Agnes feels that her greatest achievement as a community leader is being an advocate for
female minorities. An important change she would like to see happen for the future of this demographic is improved attitudes and treatment
by employers. True to principle, she co-founded the Wisconsin Women of Color Network, a statewide organization of women of color who
believe in helping each other to achieve their fullest potential. It established the Cammer-Hill Grant, a Women’s Fund which awards
scholarships for youths of color to attend vocational or technical college. For the female minority, she advises: “focus on working on the
dignity of the profession rather than the individual, especially earning the respect as a colleague. Always look at both sides of a situation,
you can always rectify the negatives”.
Agnes is also co-founder of the Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas and the Wisconsin Organization for
Asian Americans; a member of the Rizal-MacArthur Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees; the United States Committee on Scientific
Research for Vietnam and Laos and several community boards and associations.
Dane County Executive Richard Phelps and Mayor Paul Soglin designated June 23, 1992 as Agnes Gutierrez Cammer Day in the City of
Madison and County of Dane.
(Reprinted from AW-Feb. 2006)
sensitivity to the needs of the disadvantaged community. Specifically to new immigrants, she advises: “..leave behind dated customs in the
airport and have a clear assessment of goals; make conscious decisions in this path towards success… be ready to take responsibility to
reach out to the community, and there will be a response”.
In her mission to help as many as possible, Agnes feels that her greatest achievement as a community leader is being an advocate for
female minorities. An important change she would like to see happen for the future of this demographic is improved attitudes and treatment
by employers. True to principle, she co-founded the Wisconsin Women of Color Network, a statewide organization of women of color who
believe in helping each other to achieve their fullest potential. It established the Cammer-Hill Grant, a Women’s Fund which awards
scholarships for youths of color to attend vocational or technical college. For the female minority, she advises: “focus on working on the
dignity of the profession rather than the individual, especially earning the respect as a colleague. Always look at both sides of a situation,
you can always rectify the negatives”.
Agnes is also co-founder of the Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas and the Wisconsin Organization for
Asian Americans; a member of the Rizal-MacArthur Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees; the United States Committee on Scientific
Research for Vietnam and Laos and several community boards and associations.
Dane County Executive Richard Phelps and Mayor Paul Soglin designated June 23, 1992 as Agnes Gutierrez Cammer Day in the City of
Madison and County of Dane.
(Reprinted from AW-Feb. 2006)
By Anna Maria Manalo
I am very excited to spotlight Agnes Gutierrez Cammer this month — ‘Tita’ Agnes was always an
exceptional role model for me (and for many - read on!!). Hearing her story is like experiencing an
epic — live. I am so moved, as I was when we met for our interview.
Agnes has dedicated her life to helping others. An award-winning community leader, she has sat on
countless boards: “I just want to help as many people as possible, and make sure the policy is right
and fair”.
Born in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines, she earned her academic degrees from the Far
Eastern University, Manila. Her ‘claim to fame’ as a valedictorian scholar was a file clerkship for
Gen. MacArthur. She recalls: “ He was very pleasant..he had rules for the female workers; he didn’t
like long hair undone, sleeveless dress, and stockingless feet. “She was then stationed as a
civilian employee to Clark Field, where she met her husband, Kenneth Cammer. The couple came to
the USA in 1952. Agnes spent a decade raising her four small children: Kenny (born in Maine), Rose
(born in Tokyo), Lester (born in San Francisco), and George (born here in Madison). Her family then
left for the Philippines to stay for two years because it was important to her that her children know
half of their heritage.
On her return to Madison, she studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began her
career in public policy. She held several high profile positions in human resources administration
but her most memorable job was the Executive Director of Community Action Commission of
Madison and Dane County, an anti-poverty agency. Agnes says that was how she learned about her
I am very excited to spotlight Agnes Gutierrez Cammer this month — ‘Tita’ Agnes was always an
exceptional role model for me (and for many - read on!!). Hearing her story is like experiencing an
epic — live. I am so moved, as I was when we met for our interview.
Agnes has dedicated her life to helping others. An award-winning community leader, she has sat on
countless boards: “I just want to help as many people as possible, and make sure the policy is right
and fair”.
Born in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines, she earned her academic degrees from the Far
Eastern University, Manila. Her ‘claim to fame’ as a valedictorian scholar was a file clerkship for
Gen. MacArthur. She recalls: “ He was very pleasant..he had rules for the female workers; he didn’t
like long hair undone, sleeveless dress, and stockingless feet. “She was then stationed as a
civilian employee to Clark Field, where she met her husband, Kenneth Cammer. The couple came to
the USA in 1952. Agnes spent a decade raising her four small children: Kenny (born in Maine), Rose
(born in Tokyo), Lester (born in San Francisco), and George (born here in Madison). Her family then
left for the Philippines to stay for two years because it was important to her that her children know
half of their heritage.
On her return to Madison, she studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and began her
career in public policy. She held several high profile positions in human resources administration
but her most memorable job was the Executive Director of Community Action Commission of
Madison and Dane County, an anti-poverty agency. Agnes says that was how she learned about her
Agnes Cammer