The first Muslim woman elected to the Senate of the Philippines, former Senator Santanina Tillah Rasul is also the founder and Chair of the Magbassa Kita (‘Let us Read’) Foundation Inc, which focuses on literacy and education. She is noted for her work on women’s empowerment, effective civil service, improved literacy for the Muslims of Mindanao, and equitable treatment of Muslims of the Philippines. She authored much landmark legislation, including the Women in Development and Nation-Building Act that empowered women. She also allocated development funds for women’s initiatives and opened the Philippine Military Academy to women. A peace champion, she was a member of the government panel during the peace talks with the Moro National Liberation Front that led to a peace agreement that was signed in 1996. In 2019 she was conferred the Tandang Sora Award.