Dr. Lourdes Reynes-Quisumbing is an educator par excellence who has been the first women Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports. She is the President of the Asia-Pacific Network for International Education and Values Education (APNIEVE).

Quisumbing was raised as an only child. Her mother died when she was only eleven years old so she was sent to a boarding school. A high school valedictorian, she was a product of Catholic schools. She completed a degree in Bachelor of Science in Education as summa cum laude at Saint Theresa's College and her Master of Arts in Education again as summa cum laude from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. Dr. Lourdes R. Quisumbing gained her Ph.D. benemeritus from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila while devoting herself to her family, her husband and their nine children. She was sent as a Scholar of the National Science Foundation of America to the University of Colorado Summer Institute of Anthropology.

In August 1987, she received the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, from the University of Southern Carolina, U.S.A. in recognition of her contributions to education and the behavioral sciences, especially in the field of family life, women studies, and values education. She has likewise received a Doctor in Philippine Studies honoris causa, from the Mindanao State University, Marawi City (1992), a Doctor in Humanities, honoris causa, from the Far Eastern University, Manila (1999) and another Doctor in Humanities, honoris causa, from the San Beda College, Manila (2003).