Strength of a woman after 43 years of service to Fiji
RESPECT, honesty, humility and resilience are the most valuable lessons that Mary Chapman has learnt in her 77 years of life experience.
The former secretary general to parliament who has spent 43 years serving Fiji in various capacities has shown courage and displayed hard work in her career.
The Fiji Times Advertising Features reporter Rusiate Vunirewa speaks with Mary Chapman this International Women's Day about her life of service to Fiji. and the lessons learnt.
Times: Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Mary Chapman: I have not moved very far from where I was born in Nausori, Tailevu, 77 years ago. I am a widow with four children, 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
Times: What was your journey like leading up to your role as the Secretary General of Parliament?
Mary Chapman: I am now retired after working for the Civil Service since I was 18 years old and served more than 43 years in the service most of which time I spent in the Parliament of Fiji, initially as a Hansard reporter in 1969 before Fiji gained Independence and was later promoted to Editor of Official Reports of Parliament which included editing of Hansard debates and journals of Parliament.
I spent a few years as Senior Administrative officer involved with rural development projects and rural housing with the Ministry of Rural Development before I was posted as Principal Scholarships Officer with the Public Service Commission during the absence of a Parliament after the aftermath of the 1987 coup — coup d’etat.
In 1992, I was promoted as Secretary to the House of Representatives when Parliament resumed parliamentary democracy after the events of 1987.
Eventually, I was promoted as SecretaryGeneral to the Fiji Parliament until the military takeover of Parliament on December 5, 2006.
Times: What has been some of your challenges along the way?
Mary Chapman: As to any challenges faced by me as a woman leading up to Parliament I can honestly say that I had been fortunate in not encountering any major challenges but have been appreciated, in fulfilling my role as Secretary General to Parliament by my superiors as well as all Members of Parliament, both Opposition and Government.
Having said this and having worked in the Civil Service during the 1960s until 2006, it is only in the last two decades that there has been a very strong move towards gender equity through amplifying awareness raising efforts and recognising the significant contribution of women in all aspects of our society and that more must be done to empower women.
To start with, I would suggest that scholarships be awarded based not only on racial but also on gender equity.
Times: What have been some lessons you've learnt in your journey you would like to share with our readers as we celebrate IWD?
Mary Chapman: Valuable lessons that I have learnt as a woman in my more than 40 years of service, and which I willingly offer to women during this year's International Women's Day is to be true to oneself and do the best towards what you strive for and for the organisation one works for, be respectful, be resilient and above all do things honestly and in all humility.