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 byFagaotua Dorian Salave’a
Succeeded byFiu Saelua
Personal details
OccupationEnvironmentalist, community organizer

Early life

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Andra Theresa Samoa[4] grew up in Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa.[1]

Career

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She 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

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Andra Samoa". The Pacific Community. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  2. ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (November 16, 2018). "Andra Samoa will be only female faipule when new Legislature sits". samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  3. ^ Sagapolutele, Fili (November 10, 2022). "Midterm Election brings 5 changes to the House of Representatives". samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  4. ^ Fausia, Ausage (February 10, 2022). "Rep. Samoa reports 50 children diagnosed with RSV". Samoa News. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Sagapolutele, Fili (August 29, 2017). ""Inspiring Pacific Women"". www.samoanews.com. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  6. ^ Herrmann, Victoria; Keene, Eli (June 1, 2016). ""100 Times Stronger"". National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  7. ^ Herrmann, Victoria (July 12, 2017). "Doomsday narratives about climate change don't work. But here's what does". The Guardian. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  8. ^ "AmSamoa 350 celebrates Earth Day by donating plants to Leone". Samoa News. April 22, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Spay and Neuter clinics a success story for March". Samoa News. April 3, 2014. Retrieved August 8, 2018.