Woman rewrites history

By Sarafina Sanerivi 16 March 2016, 12:00AM

Fa’aulusau Rosa Duffy-Stowers is set to make history by becoming the first Member of Parliament to be recognised as the 50th member of the House.

What’s more, she becomes the first female candidate to enter Parliament as a result of a Constitutional amendment, requiring Parliament to have at least five female members. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Fa’aulusau, who is representing Gagaifomauga No. 3, said she couldn’t be happier. She is grateful to God, everyone who supported her and believed in her.

 “I am very grateful and honoured,” she said. “I am very much at peace right now and very relieved.”

Being a Member of Parliament never crossed her mind while growing up.

However, she believes that this was all part of God’s plan for her. 

“I never thought I would become a Member of Parliament,” she said. “But now that I am here, this is a privilege for me and I am very humbled.”

She admitted that getting to where she is now has not been easy.

“It has been a long and tough journey for me actually...it was not easy.”

However, the former A.C.E.O of the Agriculture Store is happy that the anxiety is all over. 

“I am overwhelmed with excitement to be here today and I couldn’t have done it without God leading the way.”

Her preparation for the election started in August last year. She was approached by Letui and Aopo to contest the election.

“I didn’t give them an answer right away. I had to think about it really hard, and after one month, I told them that I accepted their request.” When she agreed to the request, Fa’aulusau said she had a lot of faith in the decision made by her villages.

“I knew I had their full support and trust, otherwise I wouldn’t have agreed to them.”

The support by her villages had been the main force behind her success and had pushed her to where she is right now.  “From the beginning, we weren’t really focusing on winning the election because I was up against the former Speaker. His electoral roll is much bigger than mine, and we knew that it was hard to defeat him.”

But her plan was to get as many votes as she can get so she could get a spot in Parliament using the quota.  “We did not really look at winning through the normal process,” she said.  Looking ahead, Fa’aulusau said she is ready to face whatever challenges that might come her way. “I am nothing but a servant,” she said. “I am here because of God’s will and I am here to represent my villages.

“And I will use this as a great opportunity to contribute to the development of Samoa. It’s time to use whatever God has instilled in me to serve our people and I am very humbled with this great opportunity.”

Fa’aulusau Rosa Stowers is 54-years-old from the villages, Letui and Aopo. She was married to the late Vui Michael Stowers. 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 16 March 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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