{{Short description|Samoan nun and schoolteacher}} '''Emanuela Betham''' (born {{birth based on age as of date|82|2017|12|30|noage=1}})<ref name=SO2017a/> is a Samoan nun and schoolteacher.
Betham is from the villages of Leagiagi and Leone and was educated at Saleaumua Primary School.<ref name=SO2017a/> She joined the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary at the age of 19.<ref name=SO2023a>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/103843 |title=Sister Emanuela amongst "exceptional Samoans" |publisher=Samoa Observer |author=Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi |date=30 May 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref> In 1973, she was one of the first Samoans to graduate from the University of the South Pacific.<ref name=T2023a/> She was principal of St Marys College at Vaimoso from 1970 to 1981, 1987 to 1997, and again in 2001.<ref name=T2023a/> After working in Rome, she taught at Moamoa Theological College.<ref name=T2023a/>
In 2017 she was one of the Samoa Observer's people of the year.<ref name=SO2017a>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/13210 |title=Sister Emanuela Betham - 2017 Samoa Observer Person of the Year |publisher=Samoa Observer |date=30 December 2017 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref> In 2018 she marked 60 years of service to her church.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/7746 |title=Sister Emanuela marks sixty years of service |publisher=Samoa Observer |author=Adel Fruean |date=8 December 2018 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/9059 |title=Family and friends join Sister Emanuela’s celebrations |publisher=Samoa Observer |author=Adel Fruean |date=9 December 2018 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref>
She was awarded the Order of Merit of Samoa in the 2023 Samoa Honours and Awards.<ref name=T2023a>{{cite web |url=https://talamua.com/2023/06/02/15-conferred-merit-awards-for-their-service-to-samoa-and-people/ |title=15 Conferred Merit Awards for their Service to Samoa and People |publisher=Talamua |author= Lagi Keresoma |date=2 June 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/103862 |title=Samoan heroes recognised |publisher=Samoa Observer |author=Sialai Sarafina Sanerivi |date=31 May 2023 |access-date=2 June 2023}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Betham, Emanuela}} Category:Living people Category:Samoan educators Category:Samoan Roman Catholics Category:University of the South Pacific alumni Category:Members of the Order of Merit of Samoa Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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