The late Mere Samisoni credited her success to the strength and resilience of her mother after being named the 1989 ANZ Bank Woman of the Year.
An article published by The Fiji Times on December 3, 1989, reported that 51-year-old Mrs Samisoni had emerged as the winner from 23 nominees, an achievement she said came as a complete surprise.
The Lomaloma, Vanuabalavu native described herself first as a housewife and mother of four, and second, a businesswoman.
Accepting the award with mixed emotions, Mrs Samisoni said she never imagined she had been nominated. She said the moment belonged to her mother, whom she described as a fighter, a survivor, and a natural manager.
She recalled her mother raised six children on her own after leaving a violent marriage, supporting the family by working as a house girl in several homes.
From her, Mrs Samisoni said she learned discipline, order, and the value of education.
Mrs Samisoni, who owned the Hot Bread Kitchen chain and the House of Esther beauty salon, said research showed women were major contributors to households, reflecting their capability both within the home and beyond it.
With better access to education, she said women could confidently enter fields traditionally dominated by men.
Although she never attended business school, Mrs Samisoni completed four certificates and a diploma in nursing administration in Australia, where she studied management skills rooted in women’s roles in society.
She started the Hot Bread Kitchen in Suva in 1982, growing it to nine outlets nationwide by the time she won the award.
As part of her award, Mrs Samisoni received a plaque, $1000 and flowers, and she pledged to donate the prizemoney to the Adi Cakobau School Charlton Trust Fund to support the education for Fijian women.
