Elisa Ochoa was the first woman elected to the Philippine Congress

ELISA OCHOA

In 1915 Ochoa became a licensed nurse and spent the next several years working at different hospitals as a nurse.

By 1937, the right of suffrage was extended to Filipino women. In 1939, Ochoa enrolled in law school. However, with the Elections for the House of Representatives scheduled for 1941, Ochoa interrupted her law school studies to return home and run for the National Assembly representing the province of Agusan. Ochoa won the election on 11 November 1941.

Ochoa would not have the opportunity to fully serve out her term. Less than a month after her election, the Japanese invasion of the Philippines commenced. After the restoration of the Commonwealth government under President Osmena, Ochoa resumed her duties as the duly elected Congresswoman of Agusan.

3 December 1897

to 20 September 1978