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Sila María Calderón Serra (born September 23, 1942) is the first woman to become Governor of Puerto Rico.
Education
Sila María grew up in the San Juan and attended high school at the Sacred Heart Academy in Santurce. In 1960 she attended Manhattanville College in Purcharse, New York. In 1964 she graduated with a degree in Political Science. In 1970, her graduate studies led her to the School of Public Administration at the University of Puerto Rico where she graduated with a masters in Public Administration in 1972.Political Career
Her political career began in 1973 when she was named executive assistant to the Labor Secretary and Special Assistant to then Governor, Rafael Hernandez Colón. Calderon became the first woman Chief of Staff in Puerto Rico in 1985. Later she serverd as Secretary of the Governorship, Secretary of State and Lieutenant Governor.She took a hiatus from politics in 1992 and served in the board of directors of several corporations such as Banco Popular and non-profit organizations such as The Sister Isolina Ferré Foundation.
She returned to politics and was elected mayor of the city of San Juan in 1996. As mayor, she sponsored various urban proyects to revitalize Rio Piedras, Santurce, Condado and other deteriorated sections of the city. She initiated a "Special Communities Program" to assist poor communities and foster community volunteering.
In 2000 she set her sights for the governor's seat. She lead the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) during a heated and close campaign for Governor against Carlos Pesquera (PNP) and Ruben Berrios (PIP).
In 2001 Calderón and her long-time husband Adolfo Krans where divorced.
Calderón's administration objectives have dealt with issues such as Vieques (see Navy-Vieques protests), the fight against drugs and the extension to the rest of the island of the "Special Communities Programs".
Althought a firm beliver in the current Commonwealth relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, an unsucessfull attempt was made in 2002 to discuss between the three major political parties mechanisms to resolve the political status dispute that faces Puerto Rico.
Her administration has been characterized by frequent changes of the members of her cabinet; including 4 different Police Superintendents. During her term, crime has continued to rise Puerto Rico and has become a major issue.
Calderón announced in 2003 that she will not seek re-election in the 2004 Puerto Rican elections.
In 2003 she married Ramón Cantero Frau, a former member of her cabinet, on September 10, 2003. It marked the first time a wedding ceremony is carried at La Fortaleza, official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. The ceremony became a media event that transmitted live on Puerto Rican television.
Other Accomplishments
See also
External links
Official sites
References
