Born: 17 February 1946, Vanuatu
Died: 4 January 2002
Country most active: Vanuatu
Also known as: NA
Grace Mera Molisa was a distinguished Ni-Vanuatu politician, poet, and advocate for women’s equality in politics. Born on Aoba Island, she began her education at a village school before attending Queen Victoria Māori Girls’ School in Auckland, New Zealand, and later earning a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the South Pacific in 1977. Molisa made history as the first Ni-Vanuatu woman to lead a large co-educational boarding school and to obtain a university degree.
As a key figure in the lead-up to Vanuatu’s independence, Molisa served as the second secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs. She played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s identity, contributing to the selection of the flag, anthem, coat of arms, and national motto. Molisa was a signatory of the Constitution of Vanuatu in 1979. She served as the spokeswoman for Prime Minister Walter Lini and later founded Vanuatu Women in Politics (VWIP) in 1997, advocating for women’s participation in politics.
Molisa’s literary contributions include poetry collections such as Blackstone” (1983) and “Colonised People: Poems” (1987), offering a sharp social commentary on post-colonial Vanuatu. Her work, written in Bislama, includes “Pasifik Paradaes” (1995). Recognized as one of the “foremothers of Pasifika poetry,” Molisa’s impactful legacy extends to her role in founding the National Arts Festival, her political contributions, and her unwavering commitment to gender equality and human rights.”