We should all be familiar with this cliché: behind every great man is a great woman. Aside from Michelle Obama, there seems to be only a few women spotlighted in the political arena--women who genuinely support their husbands while simultaneously dedicating her life to the greater good of the people whom her husband serves. With that said, I think it is necessary to share with you the impression Corazon "Cory" Aquino has left as a simple, knowledgeable mother-figure of faith and democracy (to Filipinos) around the world.

What exactly does being a simple woman mean? Does it mean growing up in a rich family but settling for more humble lifestyle? Cory Aquino was a very brilliant woman who went on to pursue a Bachelors of Arts in French with a minor in Math from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in New York. She was also volunteered with the Republican Party during the Dewey-Truman elections. After graduation, she enrolled in Far Eastern University in the Philippines to study law but did not finish because she chose to marry instead. At 21, she married Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, had five children and became a stay-at-home wife.

Ninoy Aquino was heavily involved with politics prior to their marriage and his love for democracy and his countrymen only grew deeper with time, ultimately serving as one of the Philippines most renowned Senators who fought against the Marcos Regime. Due to outrageous political circumstances concerning Martial Law, Ninoy was imprisoned from 1972-1980 when, for 40 days, he went on a hunger strike and lost sixty pounds. After suffering from heart complications and receiving medical aid in the United States, Ninoy was scheduled to arrive back in the Philippines and was assassinated seconds after he stepped onto the tarmac of Manila International Airport in August 1983. Throughout all this, Cory never lost faith in her God and in the fight for democracy. Despite the fact that he was never officially elected into office, he is still referred to one of the greatest presidents the Philippines ever had. As a stay-at-home mother and wife, the tragic death of her husband, now considered a national hero, was what pushed her to reluctantly fight the battle her husband died for.

Cory Aquino went on to become the first female President of the Philippines and first elected female head of Asia in February 1986. In the same year, she was featured in Time Magazine as “Woman of the Year” because she reformed the government, reestablishing the spirit of democracy and gave the power to people of her nation. Having received multiple awards, such as Prize for Freedom from Liberal International, which recognize her leadership, she was and is still praised and honored for her acts of restoring justice in the government system and equality regardless of gender or socio-economic statuses.

Of course, there is so much more detail that is missing; the revolutionary events of the 1970’s and 80’s of the Philippines is one that many educators and political figures still baffle over. Cory Aquino’s presidency may not have started until 1986, but if you ask anyone who knows anything about her, you’d see that she’s most admired for amazing transformation from a widowed, single-mother of five to a President and mother to a whole nation in less than three years. She would not have been president had it not been for the thousands of Filipinos who believed in her intelligence and knowledge about her husband’s ultimate dream and vision. She is cited as one of the 100 Women Who Shaped World History, a book written by Gail Meyer Rolka.

President Cory Aquino passed away just last August. Want to see a picture of how well-respected, appreciated and loved she is?

The procession from the Cathedral to her burial space took 8 hours because thousands of people blocked the roads and waited for hours to say their last good-byes. Others walked the whole 22-kilometer procession. Note: it was raining.