Women Leading the Way

Borders.comReturn Main Page
Adele Meredith
Brenda Heather-Latu
Dawn Rasmussen
Eleitino Michelle Meredith
Freida Paul
Luagalau Foisaga Eteuati Shon
Maiava Visekota Peteru
Noumea Simi
Pafuti Faaiu Patu Simeona
Palanatina Toelupe 
Viopapa Annadale Atherton

 
Name: Adele Meredith     
Birthdate: 11 July 1928
Parents
Father: Theodore Weber Brunt
Mother: Frieda Schwenke

Current Work: President Soroptomists International of Samoa
Director National Bank of Samoa
Treasurer Catholic Womens Fellowship Diocese Samoa (Apia)
Vice Chairperson Catholic English Mass Congregation(rep. to all Parish meets)

Who is your role model and why?
Spiritual role model – Our Lady Mary Mother of Jesus
Practical role model - My mother – She taught me positive life skills, she instilled in me at that time vision for education and to be successful in whatever I do, she demonstrated unconditional love.

Advice to young women of Samoa
"Hold fast to whom you were created as a women. Put your hands to the things of the modern world – But always remember your heritage (Tamaitai Samoa) and wear it proudly as a plume (pale fuiono) in your hair and in everything, remember that God is your source"

 
 
Name: Brenda Heather –Latu
Birthdate: 23 December 1961
Parents
Father: Cuthbert Stanley Heather
Mother: Winnie Heather (nee Anesi)

Current Work: Attorney General of Samoa

Who is your role model and why?
Many of the women I have been privileged to be related to, meet, work with or enjoy their friendship with.

Advice to young women of Samoa
"Identify your goals, nurture your strengths, remember your ancestors, respect your past and create hope for your children and the future."

 
 

Name: Dawn Therese Rasmussen

Birthdate: 28 December 1944

Parents:

Father: Peter Rasmussen

Mother: Anna Celestine Betham - Rasmussen

Current Work: Head of Expressive Arts Department Faculty of Education National University of Samoa

Role Model: (our interveiwee did not highlight any specific role model(s) however, below are the achievements that highlight her other achievements especially in sport whichi n due course may influence other young women to follow suit.)

Sports

  • Establishing Women’s Rugby in Samoa and first President 1998- 2000
  • Samoan representative to the SPG’s 1963 (Athletics) 1966, 1979, 1983 (Netball) 1971 (Tennis)
  • Samoan Netball Rep NZ Tour of the South Pacific 1971
  • Record holder in 100 meters sprints 1962 and triple jump fore WS Amateur Athletic Championship 1959 (record still stands 1999)

Community Service:

  • Member of the Paralymipic Committee 1999
  • Vice President Apia Rugby Union
  • Secretary of AUTESA Australian Universities and TAFE Ex students Association
  • Established first Samoa Junior Lawn Tennis Competition

Advice to young women of Samoa

Stay Fit & Healthy Be happy & enjoy life to its fullest !

 
 
  1. Name: Eleitino Michelle Meredith
  2. Parents:

    (Father) Richard Edward Meredith (Mother) Leleaga Seumanutafa Meredith

     

  3. Current Work: 
    Company Secretary & Marketing Executive of National Bank of     Samoa Ltd.

    President and Founder of Women In Business Foundation Inc.

    Managing Director of Rhelm Limited. (Family Business)

    Matai - Aiga Saoao Tamaitai Vineula ile Alafaga o Apia.

  4.  Who is your Role Model and Why?
    My mother Leleaga was a Career Women, a woman who was committed to her work as a public servant until the time she retired. She was committed to her children by providing an income jointly with my father to educate, clothe us and feed us. She loved us in her own special way.
    My role model was my grandmother Taimane Seumanutafa. Although she was a fragile petite women she had a lot of spiritual and inner strength that carried her in her life to take the role of a advisor to my Grandfather who was the Chief of Apia. She was a pillar of strength not only to her immediate family, but also to the extended family and mothers of the village of Apia. She was a decision-maker, not only was she decisive but she also actioned what she believed was possible no matter how difficult a situation. She taught us to love, and to love others and to help those that are in need. She was a woman that was completely committed to the Lord and taught us to believe in the powers of PRAYER.

  5. Advice to Young Women of Samoa:

  • Women play an important role in the family, community and village life within our Samoan culture. In this essence Samoan women are unique and very versatile in dealing with various types of situations or circumstances.

  • Believe in yourself, be committed and strive for your goals. Dreams and thoughts are free but are priceless, as they are the start of a vision for one's life. Build foundations underneath your dreams and make it a reality for in life where there is a problem there is a solution no matter how difficult a situation or circumstances maybe. For every small step will lead you to bigger and brighter things, and closer to your final goal.

  • I will like to share with you a favorite poem that has a permanent place in my office on my notice board. This poem is by an anonymous poet:

Take Time

Take time to work,

It is the price of success.

Take time to think,

It is the source of power.

Take time to play,

It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to be friendly,

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to love and be loved,

It is a privilege of the Gods.

Take time to share,

Life is too short to be selfish.

Take time to laugh,

Laughter is the music of the soul.

 
 
 

Name: 
 Freida Margrett (nee-Keil) Paul          Photo

Birthdate:           29 July 1933

Parents
Father:           Hans J Keil

Mother:           Ruby M Ott

 Current Work: 
 Proprietor The Flower Pot Garden Centre
President Loto Taumafai Society for the physically disabled( Children) 
Member National Beautification Committee . Past President Girl guides Member Soroptomists
Who is your role model and why?
 Well I had a few but I will highlight three of the main ones

My Mother, She was a beautiful Person Inside and Outward. Her Life  was  devoted for us her children. She was honest hardworking and Faithful to her convictions

(The late) Fiasili Keil (my sister)  - she was a courageous, brave and talented. A wonderful role model to all the disabled people.

Sina Annadale – She was intelligent, hardworking, youthful in her outlook. She was awonderful example to me!

Advice to young women of Samoa

Be honest with yourself & others at all times. Be true to your convictions! “Looking back on what I have done I do believe that whatever I did and tried to do was done with dignity and charm.” I always say that everything you do “ do it well or don’t do it at all!”

 

Name:
Luagalau Foisagaasina Eteuati Shon
Birthdate: 03 May 1947
Parents:
Father: Reverend Eteuati Tolovaa
Mother: Sisilia Tupou Eteuati
Current Work: Secretary of Womens Affairs

Role Model:    My Mother – She was always very active with development work for women of the Methodist
Church. She has a lot of patience, creativity and total faith in the Lord.

Advice to young women of Samoa  Do not ignore/ neglect your cultural heritage, values and practices in whatever you do – that is your identity and support system which gives you strength and uniquness – Always strive for the top,
but never forget how you get there and those who helped to put you there

  
 

Name: Maiava Visekota Ruth Peteru

Birthdate: 12 March 1957

Parents:
Father: Reverend Faamalua Peteru of Faleasiu/Lepa

Mother: Ruta Peteru of Falealupo/Falelima

Current Work: Lawyer, Consultant, Member of Parliament

Influences in my life:

My parents. They instilled the principles of Christian living which have provided a basis for me in everything I strive for. Especially endeavoring to work for the betterment of others. Also, encouraging us as children to get a good education.
My late Husband, Luagalau Levaula Kamu: instilled in me a thirst for knowledge about Samoan culture and being involved at the village level, a love of oratory and genealogy. He instilled in me a love for politics with the view that we are the voice of the voiceless and instruments of change and betterment. He always encouraged me to make the most of any opportunity and to single mindedly set out to achieve goals.

Advice to young women of Samoa

Remember God’s grace in all things. Aim high, dream big and if you consider marriage, find someone who encourages your potential rather than one that stifles it! Samoan women are strong leaders, organisers and influences in the lives of the community. Apply your talents to leadership at all levels. Most of all enjoy life to the fullest measure!

 
 

Name: Noumea Simi
Birthdate: 01 September 1953

Parents:
Father: Gotoloai Peseta Sio
Mother: Faasalalau Tupe – G.P. Sio

Current Work:

  • Assistant Secretary for Foreign Affairs
  • Head of Economic/Aid Division
  • Coordination of all external assistance to Samoa
  • President Samoa Netball Association (14 years)
  • Promotion of youth development through netball beginning at Primary level through to national representations at world tournaments
  • And I am a writer in my spare time

Role Model:

Parents and principles and values that I was brought up in. Samoan women who are steadfast in their cultural values.

Advice to young women of Samoa

Nothing is impossible for a woman to be involved in as long as she has the confidence and skills to carry her through. One shoul learn to live outside this world of stereotypes and know that there are equal opportunities for the taking.

 
 

Name: Pafuti Faaiu Simeona Patu Faasuamaleau

Birthdate: 02 October 1934

Parents
Father: Patu T Fuamatu Faasuamaleau

Mother: Iliganoa Faagotola Patu

Current Work: 
Private Secretary to the Prime Minister & Minister of Finance

Who is your role model and why?

Former ministers I have worked under. The likes of Aumua Ioane Wendt, Vaovasamanaia Filipo, the late Tofilau Eti Alesana, the late Aliimalemanu Sasa Tevita and now the present PM.

The experience of trust, and reciprocation of this trust by the employer to you and vise versa.

Advice to young women of Samoa

"Galue ma le punou ai ma le FAAMAONI! Fai alofa I le pule o la foi e alofa mai" Work as if it is your own, be trustworthy, hardworking and stop wasting time.

 
 

Name: Palanitina Toelupe

Birthdate: 16 August 1956

Parents:
Father: Sooalo Mala Tapuimatagi
Mother: Lepisi Amosa Matalavea

Current Work: Assistant Secretary – Ministry of Womens Affairs

Role Model:

My mother – because she instilled in me the essence of working hard and being patient as the best of life is ahead

"Onosai ma tauivi o loo I luma mea lelei"

Advice to young women of Samoa

" Look after yourselves "

 
 

Name: Viopapa Annandale Atherton

Birthdate: 10 March 1940

Parents:

Father: Edward Annandale

Mother: Sina Annandale

Current Work: General Medical Practitioner

Role Model:

My mother Sina Annandale. She believed in extending the boundaries for girls and women and challenging their traditional roles. Also that boys and men must treat girls and women with respect and dignity at all times

Advice to young women of Samoa

Be educated, be informed and be aware of your rights. Love and respect yourself. Know that you can achieve great things if you want it sufficiently. Finally help other girls to achieve their potential.

 
 
Return Main Page