Andra Theresa Samoa is an American Samoan chief executive and environmentalist.[1] She is also involved as a community organizer in Leone and works on several projects to restore coastal environmental areas. She was one of two women serving in the American Samoa Fono in 2019.[2] She lost reelection in 2022.[3]
Andra Samoa | |
|---|---|
| Member of the American Samoa House of Representatives from the 13th district | |
| In office 2019–2023 | |
| Preceded by | Fagaotua Dorian Salave’a |
| Succeeded by | Fiu Saelua |
| Personal details | |
| Occupation | Environmentalist, community organizer |
Early life
editAndra Theresa Samoa[4] grew up in Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa.[1]
Career
editShe was the chief executive officer of the American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) from 2006 to 2013[5] and led the installation of the country's first solar powered electrical grid. She also managed the country's gas supply and distribution following the withdrawal of ExxonMobil.[1] Samoa has also been chief executive officer of the Pacific eCommerce Development Corporation, which works on various information technology projects.[1]
Samoa has worked in a voluntary capacity for a number of environmental conservation projects, including a local government programme in Leone to encourage the regrowth of coral using indigenous methods. She is also involved in restoring the mangrove swamps and coastal wetlands.[6][7] In addition, she has organised skills training for villagers in Leone that has been replicated elsewhere in American Samoa.[1] In 2013, she was on hand to accept the donation of plants to the Leone Healing Garden Project with the Leone Empowerment Team.[8] She has also been involved in efforts to help spay and neuter cats and dogs in Leone.[9]
In 2017, she was profiled as one of "70 Inspiring Pacific Women," and had been nominated for the award by individuals at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Andra Samoa". The Pacific Community. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (November 16, 2018). "Andra Samoa will be only female faipule when new Legislature sits". samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (November 10, 2022). "Midterm Election brings 5 changes to the House of Representatives". samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Fausia, Ausage (February 10, 2022). "Rep. Samoa reports 50 children diagnosed with RSV". Samoa News. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Sagapolutele, Fili (August 29, 2017). ""Inspiring Pacific Women"". www.samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Herrmann, Victoria; Keene, Eli (June 1, 2016). ""100 Times Stronger"". National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Herrmann, Victoria (July 12, 2017). "Doomsday narratives about climate change don't work. But here's what does". The Guardian. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- ^ "AmSamoa 350 celebrates Earth Day by donating plants to Leone". Samoa News. April 22, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ "Spay and Neuter clinics a success story for March". Samoa News. April 3, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2018.