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Sila MaríA CalderóN

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Calderón and the second or maternal family name is Serra.

Sila Calderón

Calderón in 2001

Personal details

Sila María Calderón Serra, a figure who, against all expectations, arrived on September 23, 1942, is a Puerto Rican politician, a businesswoman of some repute, and a philanthropist – a title often bestowed upon those who have accumulated sufficient resources to disperse them. She served as the eighth democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005, a period that, like all political tenures, began with high hopes and ended with the inevitable weariness of governing. Notably, Calderón achieved the distinction of becoming the first female to be elected to, and serve as, governor since the establishment of the office in 1508. Before ascending to the island's highest executive position, she occupied the office of mayor of San Juan, the capital municipality of Puerto Rico, from 1997 to 2001. Her political résumé also includes various other roles within the government of Puerto Rico, such as Secretary of State from 1988 to 1989. [1]

Early life and education

Sila Calderón Serra made her initial appearance in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 23, 1942. Her parentage traces back to César Augusto Calderón, an entrepreneur, and Sila Serra Jesús. A rather convenient detail for future international relations, her maternal grandfather, Miguel Serra Joy, had emigrated from Mallorca, one of Spain's Balearic Islands, to Puerto Rico in the latter part of the 19th century. This ancestral link eventually provided Calderón with Spanish citizenship in 2012, a decade after her gubernatorial term concluded – a testament, perhaps, to the enduring benefits of heritage. [2]

Her early academic endeavors took her to the Colegio Sagrado Corazón de Las Madres in Santurce, Puerto Rico, where she completed her high school education. In 1964, she emerged from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, with honors and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government, a rather fitting precursor to her future career. She then further pursued her academic interests, or perhaps simply extended her time in academia, by attending the Graduate School of Public Administration at the University of Puerto Rico. [3][4][5][6][7]

Professional career

First career years: 1973–1985

Calderón's professional journey began in 1973, a year that saw her appointed as Executive Aide to the Labor Secretary, Luis Silva Recio. One might observe that such entry-level positions are often the proving grounds for those destined for higher office, or at least for those with the right connections. A mere two years later, she found herself elevated to the role of Special Aide for Economic Development to the then-Governor, Rafael Hernández Colón, signaling an early trajectory towards influence. [6]

Following Hernández Colón's defeat in the 1976 general elections – because even governors, it seems, are not immune to the whims of the electorate – Calderón transitioned to the private sector. She took on the role of Director of Business Development at Citibank, N.A. in San Juan. This was not just any Citibank; it was, apparently, one of John Reed's "experimental marketing centers," suggesting a certain level of innovative, or perhaps simply aggressive, financial strategy. In her capacity, Calderón was credited with designing and marketing several new consumer products, which reportedly "significantly increased the earnings of the Retail Division of the Bank." One is left to wonder about the specifics of these innovations, especially given the convenient lack of a citation. In 1978, she moved on to become president of Commonwealth Investment Company, a family-owned real estate concern that specialized in the ownership and management of industrial buildings – a rather practical venture, one might surmise, for someone with a background in government and finance. [7][8]

First government positions: 1985–1990

The political pendulum swung back in 1984, with Rafael Hernández Colón once again securing the governorship. Predictably, he re-appointed Calderón, this time to the rather significant position of Chief of Staff, making her the first woman to hold that particular mantle. In 1988, Hernández Colón further cemented her standing by naming her Puerto Rico's 12th Secretary of State, a role that places one directly in the line of executive succession and diplomatic affairs. [4]

During this intensely active period, Calderón's influence stretched beyond her primary executive roles. She was also an integral member of the Governor's Economic Adviser Council, offering her insights into the island's financial future. Additionally, she sat on the board of directors for both the Puerto Rico Government Development Bank and the Center for Specialized Studies in Government Management, ensuring her hand was in various crucial aspects of public administration. Not one to shy away from investment, she also presided over the Inversions Committee of the Industrial Development Company. As if her plate wasn't already full, she served as Secretary General of the Commission tasked with organizing the rather grandiose activities for the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of the Americas – a historical commemoration that, like most, required significant logistical and diplomatic finesse. [4]

Return to private life: 1989–1995

In 1989, having apparently had her fill of public service for the moment, Calderón gracefully resigned from her government positions and, quite predictably, pivoted back to her business endeavors. This transition, often seen in political circles, allowed her to leverage her public experience in the private sector. She quickly secured positions on the boards of several major local corporations, including BanPonce, Banco Popular, and Pueblo International, demonstrating her continued influence within Puerto Rico's economic landscape. Beyond corporate boardrooms, she also dedicated her time to the Committee for Economic Development of Puerto Rico and the Sor Isolina Ferré Foundation, engaging with broader societal and economic initiatives. From 1991 to 1992, she even took on the role of President of the Puerto Rico Public Broadcasting Corporation, perhaps dabbling in the realm of public narrative and media influence. [3]

Political career

Mayor of San Juan: 1997–2001

The lure of public office, it seems, is a powerful one. Calderón re-entered the political fray in 1995, throwing her hat into the ring for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) primary for Mayor of San Juan. She "won the primary handily," as the narrative goes, against her two opponents "by a huge margin" – a detail that, while impressive, lacks the specific numbers one might expect for such a definitive victory, leaving one to wonder about the precise definition of "huge." [citation needed] Nevertheless, this decisive victory propelled her to the presidency of the Municipal Committee of the PPD in San Juan, and subsequently, she joined the party's board of directors, cementing her return to the political mainstream. [6]

In the 1996 mayoral general election, her upward trajectory continued as she was elected Mayor of San Juan. This achievement marked her as only the second woman in the city's long history to hold that office and, more significantly, the first woman elected to the position. As mayor, Calderón embarked upon an ambitious, some might say audacious, public works program, one of the largest the city had witnessed to that point. This involved sponsoring various urban redevelopment projects aimed at revitalizing key areas such as Old San Juan, Condado, Río Piedras, Santurce, and other sections of the city that had, shall we say, seen better days. Beyond infrastructure, she also initiated the Special Communities Program, a commendable effort designed to foster empowerment and economic development within the island's poorer communities. [10][11]

Governor: 2001–2004

The path to the governorship seemed almost predetermined. On April 21, 1999, Calderón officially declared her candidacy for Governor of Puerto Rico. By May 31, she had once again secured a primary victory, consequently assuming the presidency of the Popular Democratic Party. Her predecessor in that role, Aníbal Acevedo Vilá, then graciously, or perhaps strategically, stepped into the role of Vice-president. Acevedo Vilá would later become Calderón's running mate, vying for the position of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in what was, by all accounts, a rather neatly orchestrated political alignment. [4]

The year 2000 saw Calderón at the helm of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) during a fiercely contested gubernatorial campaign. Her opponents were Carlos Pesquera of the New Progressive Party (PNP) and Rubén Berríos of the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP). In what was described as a close race, Calderón emerged victorious, securing her place in history as the first elected female governor of Puerto Rico. [12] Upon her swearing-in, a rather unconventional move saw Calderón appoint her two daughters, Sila Mari and María Elena, to serve as "First Ladies." One might infer this was a gesture of familial pride, or perhaps a pragmatic decision given the absence of a traditional spouse during part of her term. [13]

During her tenure as governor, Calderón ostensibly prioritized the welfare of the island's most disadvantaged communities. With the enactment of Law 1 of 2001, her administration committed a substantial $1 billion to establish the Puerto Rico Office for Socioeconomic and Community Development. The stated objective of this initiative was the ambitious development of marginalized communities across the island. [14][15] The program grandly envisioned the creation of 14,500 development projects spread across 686 communities. [16] However, as is often the case with such large-scale endeavors, the program later faced considerable criticism, with reports suggesting that many of these projects were never brought to completion and that funds were, rather inconveniently, diverted elsewhere. A noble intention, perhaps, but execution proved to be a different beast entirely. [17]

In 2003, with an air of decisive commitment, Calderón announced her intention to fulfill her platform's promises but, notably, declared her decision not to seek re-election in 2004. This could be interpreted as a strategic withdrawal, a recognition of the immense pressures of the office, or simply a desire to avoid the inevitable political grind. [4]

One particular incident that punctuated her governorship occurred on May 26, 2004, when Calderón found herself in the rather surreal position of having to negotiate with a man who had managed to enter La Fortaleza, the governor's mansion, armed with a knife and holding a receptionist hostage. His singular demand was to speak directly with the governor. In a moment of unexpected direct engagement, Calderón personally negotiated with the hostage-taker, leading to the man dropping his weapon and surrendering to the police. A stark reminder, perhaps, that leadership sometimes involves more than just policy debates. [18]

Present

Having navigated the choppy waters of public office, Calderón now finds herself a partner in Inter-American Global Links, Inc. (IGlobaL), a business and trade consulting firm with a rather broad network spanning Central America, the Caribbean, and the United States. One might say she has successfully transitioned her political connections into a lucrative private enterprise. Beyond commerce, she also chairs a philanthropic foundation. This foundation has established a non-profit, non-partisan entity known as The Center for Puerto Rico: Sila M. Calderón Foundation. Its stated mission is to address issues of poverty, women's empowerment, urban revitalization, ethical values, and social responsibility – a rather comprehensive list of societal ailments, which, one assumes, require more than just a foundation to solve. [19]

Honours and awards

Throughout a career that has undeniably seen its share of public recognition, Calderón has accumulated a rather impressive collection of honors and awards. One might observe that such accolades are often the expected trappings of a successful political life. [3]

  • The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, with a notable consistency, bestowed upon her the title of "Outstanding Woman in the Public Sector" on three separate occasions (1975, 1985, 1987), suggesting a sustained period of perceived excellence.
  • In 2005, she was recognized as one of the "Distinguished Women of the Year" by the Product Association of Puerto Rico, further solidifying her status among prominent female figures.
  • A nod from across the Atlantic arrived in 1987 when she was granted the prestigious Order of Isabella the Catholic by Juan Carlos I, the then-King of Spain, a diplomatic gesture acknowledging her contributions.
  • In 1988, the American Public Works Association, specifically its Puerto Rico Chapter, selected her as "Leader of the Year in the field of Public Works," recognizing her efforts in infrastructure and urban development.
  • The academic world also acknowledged her contributions, with the Harvard Foundation Award arriving in 2003. [20]
  • And in 2004, she received the Golden Plate Award from the Academy of Achievement in Washington, DC, a testament to her perceived lifetime accomplishments.

Beyond formal awards, Calderón has also been granted several honorary degrees, which, while not earned through traditional academic rigor, certainly add to one's intellectual veneer:

During her gubernatorial term, Calderón placed a particular, and rather pragmatic, emphasis on fortifying the economic, commercial, and cultural ties between Puerto Rico and its Latin American neighbors. This effort was underscored by official visits she undertook as Governor to the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Costa Rica in 2001, 2002, and 2004, respectively. In recognition of her administration's diligent efforts towards collaboration and fostering these international relationships, the governments of these nations bestowed upon her their most significant civil orders: the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella from the Dominican Republic; the Order of Núñez de Balboa from Panama; and the Order of Juan Santamaría from Costa Rica. One might view these as the diplomatic equivalent of participation trophies, signaling successful engagement. [citation needed]

Personal life

Calderón's personal life, much like her political career, has seen its share of transitions. From 1964 to 1975, she was married to engineer Francisco Xavier González Goenaga. [4] This union produced three children: Sila María, Francisco Xavier, and María Elena. Both Sila María and María Elena followed in their mother's footsteps in a sense, becoming attorneys, and notably, they served as "First Ladies" of the Commonwealth during Calderón's governorship – an interesting, if slightly unusual, arrangement. [3] Her son, Francisco, opted for a career in finance, currently working as an investment banker at RBC Capital Markets.

In 1978, a few years after her first marriage concluded, Calderón entered into marriage with entrepreneur Adolfo Krans. This union endured for 23 years before they divorced in 2001, coinciding, perhaps not coincidentally, with the beginning of her gubernatorial term. [21]

Remarkably, Calderón married again while still serving as governor. Her third husband was Ramón Cantero Frau, who had previously served as her Secretary of the Department of Economic Development – a rather convenient pairing, one might observe, given their shared professional circles. The wedding took place on September 10, 2003. [22] However, this particular marital chapter was, regrettably, brief, as they divorced a mere two years later. [23]

See also