ASIAN WISCONZINE ONLINE



HEIDI M. PASCUAL





APRIL 2023 ISSUE



EDITORIAL: OVER A CUP OF TEA

Manang Agnes: This Filipina put us in the Wisconsin map





I have always considered Agnes Gutierrez-Cammer as my second mother and Filipina mentor in Madison, Wisconsin. When we first met, it was a natural “love at first sight” moment because we right away liked each other and admired our community work and connections. The event was a 1999 conference of the Wisconsin Women of Color Network (WWOCN), and I was there to make friends, being a newcomer in Madison, and to introduce myself as the assistant editor of the Madison Times, a black-owned newspaper, published and edited by the late Betty Franklin-Hammonds (CEO/President of the Urban League of Greater Madison and a leading community activist and officer of the local NAACP). Betty was also an active member of the WWOCN, and it was from her that I learned about that organization. When Betty passed, I continued to work as associate editor of her newspaper, so I decided it was natural for me to connect with her friends in the communities of color. There I met Agnes, one of the founders of WWOCN, and the rest was history.



Agnes supported my work at Betty’s newspaper, and was very proud of me as a woman from the Philippines -- like her -- who worked on behalf of people of color. She not only praised me verbally many times and nominated me for prestigious community awards, including the WWOCN Woman of Achievement Award, but guided me and helped me navigate the new American way of life, to be able to face challenges similar to what most new immigrants faced.



Agnes was the most respectable and highly admired Filipina I’ve known in Madison. When I heard she passed recently, I knew right away that Madison lost one of its heroes. I’d like to share with you all her obituary. It doesn’t tell everything about her, but you will be able to gauge why I so love and honor her. In my life’s journey, I have met an angel who lived and fought for people of color, for women of color especially, and for youth of color in need of support for their career and education. I will always love you, Manang Agnes.



OBITUARY OF AGNES GUTIERREZ CAMMER







MADISON - Agnes Gutierrez Cammer, 96, of Madison passed away peacefully on February 25, 2023. She was born on June 23, 1926 in San Carlos, Pangasinan, Philippines as Agripina Lomibao Gutierrez to Angel Gutierrez Sr. and Bendicta Ramos Lomibao Gutierrez. Agnes earned her academic degrees as a valedictorian scholar from the Far Eastern University, Manila.
On June 4, 1950 she married Kenneth Chalmers Cammer (USAF E6 Ret) at the Malate Catholic American Parish with a reception at the Manila Hotel, Philippines. In January of 1952 they traveled across the Pacific Ocean to the United States on board the MSTS General Aultman and arrived at the Port of San Francisco.
After a decade raising their four small children 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 most notably as executive director of Community Action Commission of Madison and Dane County. Agnes was a strong community leader known for being an advocate for female minorities. She co-founded the Wisconsin Women of Color Network and established the Cammer-Hill Grant, a Women's Fund which awards scholarships for youths of color to attend vocational or technical college. Agnes was 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 and volunteered on numerous other 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.

Agnes is survived by sons Kenneth, Jr., Lester, and George grandchildren Jacquelyn (Troy) Frank, Samantha (Tim) Kershner, Leslie Rose Cammer great grandchildren Bradley, Emmalyn, and Lillian Frank and Ethan and Grayson Kershner many nephews, nieces, their families, goddaughter Bernadette Vida (Todd) Kennedy, and special friends Kim Bangert, Bruce Moore, and Sidney Moore.

Preceded by husband Kenneth Chalmers Cammer, Sr. daughter Rose Anne premature son Leslie Mario siblings: Terry, Federico, Irene, Luisa, Concepcion, Herman, Gertrudes, Julita, Jaime, Angel, Jr.


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