Leaves over 30 years of distinguished public service
SAN FRANCISCO—Former Civil Service Commission Executive Officer Anita Sanchez passed away last Nov. 19 after her long battle with cancer. She leaves with her a lasting legacy of distinguished public service to the people of San Francisco and leadership in the Filipino-American community.
Sanchez immigrated to San Francisco in 1960 through his father, Bonifacio Sanchez who was in the US Navy. In spite of barely speaking English, she was able to overcome the language barrier and became involved in issues concerning the Fil-Am and ethnic community while being a student at San Francisco State University.
She became played an active role in the community—from helping young Fil-Am juveniles, to lobbying for California to officially recognize college degrees of Foreign Medical Graduates (FMG). Her advocacy led to her job in public service, where she was offered a job by then San Francisco Assemblyman Art Agnos to be his aide. After working for Agnos, Sanchez then accepted an offer from then Mayor Dianne Feinstein, and also became the Chief of Staff for Oakland Assemblywoman Barbara Lee.
In 1997, she became San Francisco’s Assistant Executive Officer of the City’s Civil Service Commission, then moving to the top post Executive Officer where she served for 25 years until her retirement in 2012.
San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, who considers Sanchez a mentor, said in a statement, “On behalf of the City and Couty of San Francisco, I would like to express my sympathies to the family and friends of Anita Sanchez, a great colleague and friend,” adding, “She will be remembered for many things, but most of all, for her commitment to the educational and economic advancement and empowerment of the Filipino and Filipino-American community.”
