Sila María Calderón

Sila María Calderón Serra (born September 23, 1942) was the seventh Democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico from 2001 to 2005. She is the only woman ever elected to that office. Prior to being Governor, Calderón held various positions in the Government of Puerto Rico, including Secretary of State and Chief of Staff. She was also Mayor of San Juan, the Capital of Puerto Rico.

Retirement and Legacy

After her term ended, Calderón retired completely from public life. A few months after leaving office, Calderón divorced from her third husband, Ramón Cantero Frau. Her administration was characterized by having very few cases of corruption, but at the same time, few major infrastructure projects were carried out and the Puerto Rican economy, as most of the world's economies, entered a recession after the attacks of September 11, 2001, creating an "aura" of unpopularity, causing Puerto Ricans to blame the recession on her administration. Also, the constant personel changes in her Cabinet were criticized by the Puerto Rican media and most of the delicate fiscal situation that Governor Vila faces has been very timidly related to her administration, with special attention to the $1 billion Special Communities Fund (Fondo Perpetuo para las Comunidades Especiales, in Spanish).

Related Topics:
Corruption - September 11, 2001

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Other accomplishments

• 1958, 1975 and 1997 - The Chamber of Commerce of Puerto Rico awarded her for outstanding public service.
• 1986 - The Association of Puerto Rican Products designated her as one of the outstanding women of the year.
• 1987 - Inducted into the Order of Isabel the Catholic ("Orden Isabel la Católica") by the Spanish Government
• 1988 - The American Association of Public Works awarded her as "Leader of the Year" in the field of Public Works
• 1989 - Manhattanville College awarded her as Distinguished Alumni.
• 1997 - Manhattanville College awarded her a Honoris Causa Doctorate in Arts and Humanities.