Shinobu M. Poll
Shinobu Mailo Poll (15 September 1938 - February 2009) was a Chuukese nurse and women's rights activist, who was President of Chuuk Women's Council (CWC) in the Federated States of Micronesia from 1997 to 2009.
Shinobu Mailo Poll | |
---|---|
Born | 15 September 1938 |
Died | February 2009 |
Monuments | Shinobu M. Poll Memorial Center |
Nationality | Chuukese |
Citizenship | Federated State of Micronesia |
Occupation(s) | Nurse; community activist |
Employer | Chuuk State Hospital |
Organization | Chuuk Women's Council |
Children | Christina Stinnett |
Biography
Poll was born on 15 September 1938 and attended Moen Elementary School, followed by Truk District Intermediate School from 1950 to 1953.[1] She then went on to study at the Pacific Islands Central School from 1953 to 1956, followed by the Trust Territory School of Nursing, which she graduated from in 1958.[1] Working at Chuuk State Hospital, she travelled abroad to continue her training including courses at the University of Hawai'i in clinical nursing.[1] From 1977 to 1979 Poll was involved with the Red Cross, acting as an advisor, as well as on disaster planning.[1] In 1981 she participated in the World Health Organization's Epidemiological Surveillance training.[1] She retired from nursing in 1996, having held the position of Chief Nurse.[2]
In addition to her career in nursing, Poll was a community leader, who was involved in the foundation of several women's organisations, including the Trukese American Women's Association in 1960 and the Young Women's Association in Moen in 1963.[1] She joined the Women's Christian Association of Moen in 1971 and became its president in 1975.[1] Poll also a founding member of Chuuk Women's Council (CWC).[3] She was President of the CWC from 1997 until her death in 2009.[3] Under Poll's leadership the CWC expanded and raised its reputation in Chuuk State.[2] She enabled a micro-grants programme to run, which gave women the opportunity to borrow money in order to begin small businesses.[4] She also opened a handicraft shop, at the CWC's office and a market stall - this meant that women had a supportive location to sell their produce.[2] As a former nurse, she recognised the importance of health education and ran programmes which focussed on diabetes and HIV/AIDs.[2]
Death and legacy
Poll died in February 2009 and her daughter Christina Stinnett became CWC President in 2010.[5][6] In her will, Poll donated land to the CWC, on which was built a new headquarters for the CWC, named the Shinobu M. Poll Memorial Center.[5][7][8] Located in Nepukos, on Weno, additional funding for the centre was donated by the government of Japan.[6][9]
References
- Simon-McWilliams, Ethel. "Glimpses into Pacific Lives: Some Outstanding Women (Revised)." (1987).
- "Shinobu Mailo Poll (Fed. States of Micronesia) | WikiPeaceWomen – English". 2021-10-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- Prize 2005, Association 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace (2005). 1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe. Scalo. ISBN 978-3-03939-039-7.
- Prize 2005, Association 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace (2005). 1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe. Scalo. ISBN 978-3-03939-039-7.
- "Chuuk Women's Council Empowers Micronesian Women to be Healthcare Leaders - The Rural Monitor". 2021-10-03. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- "Chuuk Women's Council Announce New Website and Women's Interest Facility | Chuuk Reform Movement". 2021-10-03. Archived from the original on 2021-10-03. Retrieved 2021-10-03.
- "S. M. Poll Memorial Center". 2021-10-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
- Smith, Sarah A.; Katzman, Falyn (2020-08-02). "The collective power of women's organisations in Chuuk, FSM". Global Public Health. 15 (8): 1144–1156. doi:10.1080/17441692.2020.1751231. ISSN 1744-1692. PMID 32267212. S2CID 215405778.
- "Embassy of Japan in the Federated States of Micronesia". 2021-10-04. Archived from the original on 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2021-10-04.