To all the women of American Samoa who came before us

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “With the start of Women’s History Month, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the women of American Samoa who came before us,” Uifa’atali Amata said and shared these photos:

Fano Solinuu Shimasaki who was the first woman in American Samoa Fono’s Senate

Uifa’atali Mabel Coleman Reid, the first woman elected to the Fono in American Samoa House.

Uifa’atali Amata highlighted these women saying, “I am mindful of the fact that I would not be a walking the halls in Washington representing our islands as a Congresswoman if it were not for the tireless efforts and sacrifices of our female ancestors. I, and all of us, stand on their shoulders.”

Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata wishes everyone a happy Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day (March 8), and pays tribute to all the women of American Samoa.

Uifa’atali Amata said, “With the start of Women’s History Month, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the women of American Samoa who came before us.

“From Taemā and Tilafaigā, to the women of today who have achieved and are excelling in leadership positions in government, church, families and villages, Samoan women have always been indispensable to the success and perpetuation of our culture. It was our mothers who taught us the value of respect, whose smiles never failed to pick up our spirits on a tough day. Without our Samoan women, there would be no Samoa.

“While the women of American Samoa deserve so much more than a month of commemoration, we should nevertheless take the commencement of this new month to reflect and show our appreciation to all of them for what they have done and are doing in our lives, and offer our respect to those who have passed on the legacy of Samoa.

“After all, history tells us ‘na au le ina’ilau a tinā.”