Honoring Samoan Women during Women's History Month

Written by:  Merlva A  Betham, Jennifer Tofaeono, MBA
Every March women are recognized and celebrated for their contributions to history, culture, and society.  It is a month-long celebration that began in 1982 when President Ronald Regan proclaimed March 7, as “Women’s History Week”. It is a chance to acknowledge women’s contributions, and accomplishments, which are undervalued.  We celebrate this month for the women who have fought and continue to fight for equality, justice, and opportunity in our island.  As a female I would like to honor the women in my life who have made an impression on me. That have motivated me, and continued to cheer me on.   
My Aunt Sae’uteuga Le’au Scanlan, daughter of Saipele S. Le’au and mother Suluama Lea’ai born in 1937 in the village of Fagatogo.  She was the fourth of twelve children.  My grandfather Le’au expected great things from his daughter.  At a time when it was uncommon for Samoan females to attend college, he sent her to attend San Francisco State College where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. When she returned to American Samoa, she married her husband who later became High Chief Fanene Morris Scanlan and had two children.  She was an educator in American Samoa for several years before pursuing a Master’s degree at the University of Hawaii, followed by a Ph.D from Brigham Young University in 1975. American Samoa Community College, a tertiary educational institute, hired her as a Dean, and was quickly promoted as the school's Vice President, and eventually the President where she served for over a decade.  In my family she encouraged us to pursue higher education and celebrated with each of us when we graduated--she applauded as I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts, and Masters. My Aunt currently lives a quiet life, but she continues to be a force in Samoan history.
Seuva’ai Mere Tuiasosopo Betham, daughter of High Chief Orator Mariota Tiumalu Tuiasosopo. and mother Venise Pulefa’asisina-Tuiasosopo, was born to do great things.  Mere was the first woman to be appointed as the Director of Education in American Samoa.  Her father, High Talking Chief Mariota Tiumalu Tuiasosopo encouraged Mere to attend US college, and gain her Bachelors of Arts.  As a Samoan Teacher, who later became vice principal,  principal, before becoming the Director of Education.  In 1978 she was one of few Samoans to hold an administrative position.  When she became Director of Education, she was a trailblazer.  She once said. “for every child to be able to learn well, he must be taught well…our people are our greatest and only valuable natural resource, it is imperative that we invest heavily in their development at all levels.  In doing so, we invest in our country’s future stability, growth, health, and security.”   She held that position for many years.  She encouraged and supported a bicultural educational system ensuring Samoans would maintain our cultural identity.  In later years, 1991, she was initiated into her village council of chiefs and became the sole female out of seven Samoan associate judges. As the mother of six children, they were encouraged to strive for academic excellence, as each attended college and obtained their degrees. Unfortunately, she passed at the young age of sixty-five after she lost her battle to cancer. I deeply miss my aunt who provided me love and support.  She always knew that as Samoan women we could accomplish anything. 
It would be remiss of me not to mention other female leaders who have since passed, Dr. Adele Satele Galeai, and High Chief Tiumalu Telesia Lagarejos Scanlan. We honor our  first female U.S. Congress woman, Amata Coleman Radewagen, previous ASCC President Dr. Salu Hunkin-Finau, and current ASCC President, Dr. Rosevonne Pato.  The list of names does not stop there. I invite our community to celebrate the females who were trailblazers in your family or has made an impression to you and honor them.  Remember to celebrate their achievements!
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References:
Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 108 (1997) Tribute to the Late Seuva’ai Mere Tuiasosopo-Betham retrieved from:  https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CREC-1997-07-28/html/CREC-1997-07-28-pt1-PgS8204-2.htm