Nora Stewart Coleman | |
|---|---|
| First Lady of American Samoa | |
| In office January 2, 1989 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Governor | Peter Tali Coleman |
| Preceded by | Susana Leiato Lutali |
| Succeeded by | Susana Leiato Lutali |
| In office January 3, 1978 – January 3, 1985 | |
| Governor | Peter Tali Coleman |
| Preceded by | Lillian Lee |
| Succeeded by | Susana Leiato Lutali |
| In office October 15, 1956 – May 24, 1961 | |
| Preceded by | Emma Louise Lowe |
| Succeeded by | Lillian Lee |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Nora Kawailiula Stewart December 11, 1920 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S. |
| Died | May 11, 2005 (aged 84) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Thirteen, including Amata Coleman Radewagen |
Nora Kawailiula Stewart Coleman (December 11, 1920 – May 11, 2005) was an American public figure who served as the First Lady of American Samoa for four tenures spanning five decades (1956–1961, 1978–1985 and 1989–1993). Coleman first became first lady of American Samoa from 1956 to 1961 when her husband, Peter Tali Coleman, was appointed the civilian governor of the U.S. territory. She returned to the role of first lady in 1978 after Peter Tali Coleman became the first popularly elected Governor of American Samoa. Coleman later served as first lady once again from 1989 to 1993 during her husband's final term as governor.[1][2]
Coleman, who was born in Hawaii, became the first woman from the Pacific Islands to serve as first lady of American Samoa in 1956.[1] Like her husband, who was one of the longest-serving governors of any jurisdiction in American history, Nora Stewart Coleman was one of the longest-serving first ladies of any territory in U.S. history.[3]
Her daughter, Amata Coleman Radewagen, was elected Delegate to represent American Samoa in the United States House of Representatives in 2014.