Empowered Pasifika Women

March 21, 2022March 21, 2022

Empowered Pasifika Women: Morgan Sloss

I am so excited for you to learn more about this amazing woman. I found out about her because someone shared an article she had written for BuzzFeed. It was titled, “As A Samoan Woman, I Absolutely Hate Hearing People Say These 12 Things.” This was the first thing that I’ve seen from BuzzFeed that spoke on Pasifika culture in a while. And to top it off, it was written by a Pasifika woman! So, here’s here amazing story.

Empowered By Taking Up Space

I’m a Samoan woman living in Orange County with my partner and our puppy-son. After double majoring in English and Gender Studies at UCLA, I started writing for a large media company. The next dream I hope to achieve is becoming an author. I’m currently working on an indigenous fantasy book that weaves Pasifika culture and mythology into the world.

March 13, 2022March 13, 2022

Empowered Pasifika Women: Lani Tuitasi

I am SUPER excited to share this amazing woman’s story with you all. I didn’t know I would be getting a best friend last when she DM’d me. Now, I can’t imagine not having her in my life. As an afakasi growing up in Arkansas, I didn’t know I would meet someone who shared the same experiences I had. So, I hope you give her some love and read about the wonderful work she is doing for our community.

Empowered Through Mixed Heritage

I’m an Afakasi girl born and raised in Missouri and living out my dream in Los Angeles. I work in the advertising industry as a cultural strategy director writing strategies that help brands, shows, and films connect to culture. My love for the culture drives everything I do, especially my love for my Pasifika culture and community. It’s a bone deep love that I let guide me and has taken me on this path of diving deep into the Afakasi experience. Being Afakasi is a true gift of being multiple cultures at the same time with skillsets that have uniquely positioned me to be good at what I do in the advertising world as I help my clients navigate culture and find their space – much like what afakasis have to do. Throughout the past couple years, I’ve been inspired to tell Afakasi stories which has turned into a screenplay writing hobby and the release of my podcast Club Kasi with Aynsley where she discusses all things Afakasi and Pasifika culture. Most recently, my writing partner Honestine and I are developing a dramedy series about Nafanua and excited to see where we can take it!

May 2, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Hanelle Harris

In 2018, when I came back to the States after being in the NZ for my cousins wedding, I was looking for anything that would allow me to feel like I was still surrounded by other Pasifika people. I was calling my cousin probably every other day, and it was on one of those phone calls that my cousin suggested the web series, Baby Mama’s Club. Think John Tucker Must Die, but all the girls got pregnant by the same man and he goes missing. It’s an amazing adventure that you need to check out.

What makes this show stand out is the trail blazing creator, Handel Harris. Someone who I have looked up to ever since seeing this show. She is a woman who is an ally, outspoken, and when she speaks, people listen. I think what I admire the most about Hanelle is how she creates space for everyone at her table. But, she doesn’t just invite people at her table. She brings them in and then teaches them how to build their own table. Making waves that will change the face of film and tv for generations to come.

I was honored that she took a Zoom call with me to share a bit about the work she is doing and her story.

Empowered Through Activism and Screen

Sipping Koko: In your own words, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hanelle: I’m an Aries. Uh let’s start there! I am a proud Polynesian woman. I am Maori. I’m from the tribes of Ngati Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau and Ngapuhi. Ngapuhi women, we’re from the far north of Aotearoa (New Zealand) and we’re known to be quite fiery and natural leaders. Meri Mangakāhia was actually the first woman to actually cross the parliamentary floor boards even though history would say it was Kate Sheppard. Or, history would focus on Kate Sheppard as being the trailblazer for the women’s movement. But, really history records Meri Mangakāhia as being the first woman to cross the floorboards and table that not only should women be allowed to vote, but they should also be members of parliament. Meri was from up north. So, yeah, I would describe myself as quite fearless – a disrupter. I’m not afraid to confront systemic issues, but also a big fan of stories and a big fan of Indigenous and Polynesian people. And, I’m a mum of three!

April 3, 2021April 3, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Maiya Thompson

There are times that our community will dismiss young people. Sometimes they are told that they should “be seen and not heard.” But, I believe that is silencing vital voices that we need to hear. Thankfully, there are people like Maiya Thompson who are trailblazing a pathway. They are creating spaces for more of our community to be heard.

As a writer on The SIS Show, she is creating stories that resonate with many in the community. If you saw the show, you might recognize one of the episodes she wrote. It was the scene where there was a group of guys and gals gathered around a kava bowl discussing the topic of gender equality. What I love about this scene is that through humor, very serious subjects are talked about and brought to light. The fact that women each month are paying extra money for female sanitary items, the pay wage gap, etc. And, the men brought up good points too. Speaking on things like the draft. This show may be shot and written in New Zealand, but being able to relate to the message is worldwide. I’m very grateful for amazing creatives like Maiya who are learning from leaders like the head of SIS, Hanelle. It shows that the torch of progress will not extinguish but will be carried on and handed down generation to generation.

I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to talk with her via Zoom and help share her story with you. Here is a little bit about Maiya:

EMPOWERED THROUGH UPLIFTING REPRESENTATION

Sipping Koko: In your own words, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Maiya: I’m a Cancer. I am huge on representation, a big film lover – story lover. I’ve always wanted to be writer and write stories about my siblings and me. We are never really seen on screen. I’m the oldest of eight. I’m Samoan/Chinese/English. I love my job and I’m still learning. I’m aspiring to be like Hanelle and create amazing content like her.

March 27, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Anamalia Su’esu’e

Something I’ve learned through this series is the amazing passion our women have for preserving our culture and passing it on to the next generation. One of those wonderful women is Anamalia Su’esu’e and here’s her story.

Empowered Through Cultural Preservation

Born and raised in Hawai’i to Su’esu’e and Lynda Su’esu’e, I’m the oldest of three girls. I’m forever grateful for the life my parents provided for us. My father came to Hawai’i in the 70s from Utulei, American Samoa. He later met my mother, an Italian/Polish woman from Long Island, New York, at Job Corps in Waimanalo. Fast forward some decades later and I’m now raising my two children near the places I grew up. I work with Le Fetuao Samoan Language Center, a Samoan community based nonprofit here in Hawai’i that offers Samoan language programs for families. I am also finishing my first year of the Psychology MA/PhD program at UH Mānoa. I’m in the Community, Cultural, and Developmental area and would like to explore Samoan identity development in diaspora. Growing up in a multicultural home in Hawai’i has surely shaped my research interests in graduate school. My goals are to develop and implement sustainable programs (maybe even some policies?) within our Samoan and Pasifika communities that support our Pasifika identity development. The way I see it: secure, supported identities = increased well-being.

March 21, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Tonga Victoria

I think I can count on one hand the amount of Pasifika authors I can list. One of those people would be Tonga Victoria. I think it is wonderful to see our women entering industries where not many of us have ventured. So, here’s a little bit about Tonga Victoria!

Empowered Through Writing

Housing Organizer, Author, Small Biz Owner

March 15, 2021March 15, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Petrina Wilkinson

No matter where we are in the world, our teachers are under appreciated. There is so much that our teacher sacrifice for their students whether it be their own money, time, etc. That is why I’m very honored to help share Petrina Wilkinson’s story.

Empowered Through Teaching

I am an afakasi (Samoan/New Zealander) who lives in Christchurch. I am a teacher and leader within our school community with a focus on cultural responsiveness. My Mum is Samoan and always inspires us to do the best we can.

March 9, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Lorna-lei Sua’ava

Can I just say how absolutely amazing our Pasifika women are? If you ever hear that our women aren’t smart or are lesser, than might I point you to Lorna-lei Sua’ava! Here is her amazing story:

Empowered Through Education

My name is Lorna-lei Sua’ava and I am Samoan! I live in the land of the midnight sun.. and brutal winters, Alaska! I just recently graduated from Southern Virginia University with my Bachelor’s in Biochemistry/Psychology. I love all things nature, hiking, traveling and shopping. I also love school, I’m not sure many people can say that but I love learning and trying new things. 🙂

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

Empowered Pasifika Women: Falon Mei

I am so honored to help share this amazing woman’s story. I met Falon on Clubhouse and her amazing spirit and positive vibe is so contagious. She is a bright light and her story of how she has been creating change within her family is beautiful. Here is her story:

Empowered Through Challenges

I am a first generation American Samoan woman born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. My husband and I have been together for 10 years and married for 6 years. I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was young and since then opened multiple businesses. My current endeavor is working as a virtual assistant/brand story consultant with local Las Vegas, women owned businesses. I am passionate about emotional intelligence, learning about theology, challenging myself and living fully alive.

January 3, 2021

Women of the Mau: Why Their Story Matters and Needs to be Told Each Year

December 28, 2020 marked the 91st year of a terrible event that unfolded in Samoa. Many Samoans know about today, but if you do not, here is the short version. This short version is not to brush away so lightly what happened, however, history has embedded this day in our books. Yet, it forgets the events that occur afterwards. So, what happened? Let’s start with some intro. Before Black Saturday, many Samoans, men and women, were working together to gain freedom from Samoa. The Mau Movement had been organizing, sending petitions, etc. Samoa during this time had been through a cycle of colonization from Germany, America, and now it was under the “watchful eye,” of colonized New Zealand. I say colonized New Zealand because I would not dare to assume that any Maori people were a part of the police there.

On December 28, 1929, the men from the Mau movement marched through Apia in a peaceful protest. When they reached the middle of the city, they were gunned down by the New Zealand police. One notable leader, Tupua Tamasese Lealofi III, was one of the men gunned down. Before he died he said, “My blood has been spilt for Samoa. I am proud to give it. Do not dream of avenging it, as it was spilt in peace. If I die, peace must be maintained at any price.” While I respect what the Honorable Tamasese said, I do not agree that it should be brought up every time Samoa is at conflict. While we might not need to resort to violence, I do believe that sometimes we need to make a little noise to be heard.

So, what happened after this? My fellow Samoans who know this story, could you tell me? Could you tell me what happened to the men who were a part of this movement? I know there’s a few of you who could cause my source comes from a woman in our community. So, let’s dive in.