Antonia J.V. Alejo

Tonie first felt her calling to become a nurse when, as a young girl, she watched American nurses stationed in Manila help the wounded during World War II. "Ever since I was a child, I've always liked helping others; the sick, the poor ... to make them more comfortable," said Alejo. Initially enrolled at Mary Knoll College in Manila to study piano, when her grandmother became ill and needed a private nurse, Tonie decided to change vocations. She enrolled in the University of the Philippines' nursing program, completing her residency at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

In 1957, the Rotary International sponsored Tonie and 17 other Philippine nurses in a program to take classes and work in Washington, DC, at Georgetown University Hospital. After passing the exams, Tonie chose to become an OB-GYN Nurse. Over the years, she assisted many young mothers with the delivery of their babies; perhaps the most notable was former First

Lady, Jacquelyn Kennedy, when she gave birth to her son, John Kennedy Jr. in Washington D.C. "Although I was very busy working the floor, I did help set up her birth room. Mrs. Kennedy had three nurses assigned to her, but I did get a chance to talk with her," said Alejo. "She thought I was so tall!" Tonie worked at Georgetown University Hospital for the next five years, then went back to the Philippines to marry her fiance, Roger. She worked as a private nurse, but was soon convinced, by a friend, to come to Seattle.

She was hired by Virginia Mason Medical Center, which agreed to sponsor her and her husband's move to America. She worked as a registered nurse at the OBGYN department of Virginia Mason Hospital from 1967 until she retired in 1994.

Her Virginia Mason patients, co-workers, and doctors alike, appreciated Tonie for her tireless spirit and dedication to patient care, and in her genuine interest in them and their families. Tonie was, more often than not, the last one to head for home following her shift. There was no end to her heartfelt generosity, charity and her frequent offerings of prayers and assistance, as well as Filipino

delicacies like pancit, lurnpia, and pastry. After twenty-seven years of dedicated service working at Virginia Mason, Tonie retired from her official nursing duties. Retired? Not likely, Tonie continued to be a preceptor to many young nurses, instructing them on the finer points of OB-GYN nursing.

Tonie has been involved with many organizations and is widely recognized as a woman who has achieved much, including the Filipino Community Center, the International Drop-In Center, the Filipino Nurses' Health Care

Professionals Association, the Lions Club, the Police Academy of Seattle, Volunteers of America Senior Companion Program, and the Saint Benedict Church, among others. Tonie also proudly sponsored seven needy children through international organizations in the Philippines and Brazil.

In recognition of her outstanding work, she received several awards, such as the 2010 Washington State Governor's Volunteer Service Award and the Asian American Pioneers in Healthcare Award. "This is why I look young," says Tonie, unfazed by her age. "It's because my mind is always on something I have to do for other people, to help them out." She also won the 2011 March of Dimes 'Nurse of the Year' award for retired nurses, Legend of Nursing. Tonie was a shining example of how one person can deeply touch and make a real difference in people's lives, through a lifelong commitment to actively caring and helping others.

Countless patients, co-workers and members of the Seattle community

consider it a blessing to have been cared for by Antonia Alejo (Tonie), RN;

always touched by her altruistic, skillful, yet compassionate care. Tonie's

personal goal for her nursing care was to give the highest standard of quality

and excellence, well before these goals became the shared goals of the

healthcare community. '