As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Congresswoman Uifaatali Amata has highlighted in a video message the contributions of women in the Samoan culture and the role women play throughout the United States.
One of the women who has been influential in her life was her grandmother…
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(Transc.) Amata: My personal example of a strong Samoan woman is my grandmother on my father’s side. Amazing strength, resilience and vision for her family. She didn’t know English and her husband passed while she had young children. One by one, she sent her children off to Hawaii as she understood their need to learn English and have access to a bigger future. She is the woman behind our first ever Samoan governor. I know I’m not alone in looking back on such strong women. Like me, you’ll think of one from your own family—your grandmother, mother, big sister or auntie. They are our difference makers. And now it’s our turn to point the way to each generation of difference makers to follow.
As American Samoa’s first female representative to Congress, Uifaatali said she’s especially aware that she would not be where she is now without the examples and sacrifices of the women that went before.
Her first act as a new Member of Congress, now more than ten years ago, was to hire American Samoa’s first Service Academy attendee and graduate, Col. Leafaina Tavai.
“Now, she uses that experience in leading our offices, including managing our Service Academy nominations program, which is one more way we see our young people making their way with bright futures.”
The Congresswoman said, “In the Samoan culture, women have always held exalted positions. From Taemā and Tilafaigā to the women of today, Samoan women have helped show the way, including fighting for and defending our people.”
In 2021, Congress passed the creation of a National Women’s History Museum in connection with the Smithsonian Institution with a location on the famed National Mall.
The Women’s History Museum will preserve stories about the exceptional lives of so many women, from so many backgrounds, influencing so much of our American culture – and the great melting pot that it is!
