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The journey of a lady
BY JULIE MOTA-KUMIN
As Independence swept through the new nation of Papua New Guinea
courageous individuals took hold of the reins to steer our path of
nation building.
Men like Sir Michael Somare, Sir Cecil Abel, Sir Pita Lus, Sir
Barry Holloway and Sir Timothy Pohai to name a few.
Three decades since many stories about the difficulties they faced
remain untold.
More so, are the stories of the women that stood beside them in
the unfolding events of our country’s birth as wives and mothers
to their children.
Their role as homemakers influenced their husbands in the public
careers while maintaining a stable lifestyle in their roles as
spouse and fathers.
Many of these women sacrificed their personal ambitions for their
husband’s professional advancement and our country’s development
thus becoming silent participants in numerous political events
that shaped our country.
Their personal stories remain obscure in our history. They only
carry the title of Lady or Missus so and so as a passing signature
of a bygone era.
In 2003 The National newspaper reporter Susan Iroro profiled some
of these women. One of them was Lady Ikinni Holloway, wife of Sir
Barry Holloway who reminisced about her role as Sir Barry’s wife
during the early post independence years.
An opportunity to interview such women is rare so it was indeed a
privilege to recently meet and interview Lady Louisa Pohai, the
widow of late Sir Timothy Pohai, as a tribute to his passing seven
years ago.
To those who do not know her she could be just the average grand
mother next door but for those who do are amazed and admire the
strength of one of PNG’s staunchest women leader.
Two prominent public office titles she has carried over the years
are Sister Pohai of Angau Memorial Hospital and Lady Louisa, wife
of Sir Timothy Pohai.
More recently she has come to be known as the Anglican church Port
Moresby Diocese Mothers Union President.
The Union is one of many offices of one of the biggest
international voluntary organization of women involved in
promoting and upholding Christian family values worldwide.
As president Lady Louisa oversees nine sub-branches in the diocese
with an estimated two hundred active members.
Known as Imuyah by her family and relatives, her early childhood
was a struggle where she and six sisters had to persevere to cope
with social and economic hardship.
They are became some of the first tertiary educated women in the
Korafe society of Tufi sub-district in Oro province.
Lady Louisa was among the third batch of graduands from the Lae
School of Nursing. She then joined the Angau Memorial hospital in
Lae where she met the dashing young health extension officer from
Manus, Timothy Pohai whom she later married at the All Souls
Anglican church in Lae.
After independence Sir Timothy Pohai became Pangu Pati’s first
general secretary proceeding on to become the first national Lord
Mayor of Lae city in the late 1970’s.
Soon after Sir Michael returned for his second term as Prime
Minister, Sir Timothy moved with his family to Port Moresby.
By this time the couple, both working full time, had four children
Madonna, Julie, Jeffery and Brian.
Lady Louisa decided to resign in the 1990’s to be a full time
mother, a decision to this day she never regrets.
In 1992 her husband was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and
nominated as a candidate for Governor General, however Sir Wiwa
Korowi was selected as the fifth Governor General.
Tragedy struck when Sir Timothy passed away in 2000.
Barely a year after her husband’s death Lady Louisa was tasked to
re-establish the Holy Family Mothers Union branch at Hohola, Port
Moresby.
With moral support of then parish priest and now vicar General of
Port Moresby diocese Guka, Lady Louisa installed a branch banner
and restarted Mothers Union activities.
In July 2006 Lady Louisa was elected as the tenth diocesan Mothers
Union president of Port Moresby.
With years of experience as the wife of an early political party
administrator Lady Louisa is more than prepared to take in the
challenges of the role.
 
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