Cynthia Gitonga is a Filipino American Nationality, whose real name is Cynthia Estelle Gitonga-Yong. Born in Texas, Cynthia grew up as an only child of a Filipino father who became a United States Citizen at the age of 17. Growing up in San Antonio, Cynthia attended Riesling Elementary School and graduated from Riesling High School in Hayward, California. In that time, she earned herself a degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles. Throughout her years in high school, Cynthia Gitonga also took part in many extracurricular activities which included sports, drama, and debate.
Cynthia grew up in a family that was predominately Catholic in the Philippines. As a child, she learned to respect and admire her mother as she struggled with being Filipino, and as an adult, she strives to learn to respect other cultures and to love each culture that she has been blessed to love. Her own journey to self-discovery has led her to be an advocate for women’s rights, an advocate for children’s rights, and she currently works hard as an entrepreneur working in the Internet marketing field. In addition, she served as President of a Filipino Family Business Association, and presently, she serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).
Cynthia Gitonga’s strong sense of self-worth and personal integrity have allowed her to pursue a successful and varied career in the public service arena. She is an active Filipino American, and she is proud of her Filipino heritage and culture. As a woman of strong faith and character, she is able to accept the challenges that life may throw her way. And as a patriotic Filipino, she has chosen to serve our country to the best of her ability.