In this goal, I’ve avoided listing politicians so far, as politics can be very divisive and someone who might be a role model to one family may be just the opposite to another family. I’m not including Winnie Laban in the list because she is the first Pacific Island woman to be a member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister in New Zealand, but because of another achievement.

In 2007 Winnie Laban was diagnosed with breast cancer after having a regular mammogram. She underwent treatment including chemotherapy, and now the cancer is in remission. She has chosen to speak publicly about her experience to encourage Pacific Island women to have mammograms.

“Our women are often reluctant to talk about these issues, as we are often frightened, shy and private about our bodies. But with Pacific women 20 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer than other New Zealand women, it is vital that we continue to see more and more Pacific women getting screened” she said. Since she has spoken publicly about this, the numbers of Pacific Island women getting mammograms has increased.

I think Winnie Laban is a brave woman to speak out about something so private within her community, and should be admired encouraging other women to seek life-saving treatment.

If you want to find out more about Winnie Laban, her official biography is here