Dear Editor,

The final unveiling of Resilient Spirit: Samoan Women Warriors, 18 of the 30 portraits, was a stirring moment. Each brushstroke told a story. Each face whispered revolution.

The project is nothing short of extraordinary. A deep and visual recognition of Samoan women who have shaped our history, our culture, and the soul of our nation. Applause must go to the Ministry of Women for launching such a vital initiative.

These are the women whose legacies carry weight, whose names echo across generations for their service, sacrifice, and unyielding determination. It’s more than art. It’s a reclamation of history and a celebration of the resilience that defines our mothers, sisters, and daughters.

But as I admired the portraits, a few names or rather, the absence of a few names, lingered in my mind. Galumalemana Netina Schmidt,  Muliagatele Jean Malifa, Katalina Sapolu, to name a few. These women are not just deserving, they are foundational. Their contributions, both in Samoa and on the world stage, have opened doors and broken ceilings. It’s hard to celebrate completeness when such pillars appear missing.

And then, there's history itself - the women of the Mau movement. Were they given the honour they earned in our struggle for independence? To forget them is to erase the very resistance that birthed our nationhood. Let us not glorify the present while neglecting the giants of our past.

It was heartening to see leaders like PM Fiame Naomi Mata’afa and Vaimasenu’u Zita Martel on the panel, both undeniable warriors in their own right. Their presence brings credibility and substance to the event. But then I ask, with genuine confusion, what has Anarosa Molioo done to be included in this powerful gallery?

This is not a personal attack, it's a question of merit. When you stand her portrait next to women who have fought for social justice, paved paths in law, diplomacy, journalism, education, and indigenous rights, it feels like comparing pears to apples. Honours like this should reflect impact, not position.

Art has the power to shape memory. Let us ensure it reflects truth and depth, not political convenience.

Nevertheless, Resilient Spirit is a step in the right direction. May it continue to grow, to include, and to tell our stories fully and fearlessly. Malo lava to the Ministry of Women and may future collections honour all our women warriors, known and unsung.

Concerned