Christina Stinnett, President, Chuuk Women’s Council, Federated States of Micronesia
“Some people sit and complain while others think things will get better by itself. Leaders get up, go to work and change things for the better.”
As President of the Chuuk Women’s Council, Christina (or as she is better known “Kiki”) Stinnett leads an umbrella organisation of more than 60 women’s organisations in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia.
Founded in the late 1980s, CWC runs programs to inform, educate, and empower women of all ages on a wide range of topics. CWC promotes gender issues such as women's leadership, education and health, in addition to environmental conservation and the preservation of traditional craft.
The council has conducted clean up campaigns, advocated for the passage of a more appropriate Age of Consent Law, conducted health related workshops on HIV and NCDs, and developed partnerships with relevant government agencies to empower women in communities.
In addition to stewarding CWC, Kiki is a successful entrepreneur. She started Chuuk’s first travel agency in 1984 and owns a hotel complex that includes a restaurant, conference facility, dive shop, car rental and gift shop.
Kiki currently sits on various state boards including Chuuk State Board of Education, Chuuk Conservation Society and FSM Women in Business Network. She is the interim Vice-President of the FSM Alliance of NGOs and has represented Chuuk State and FSM women at regional conferences on sustainable development issues.
In 2011, Kiki was featured in the US State Department’s 100 Years/100 Women Campaign in honor of the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day.