1. Women in the civil service - Solomon Islands - History 2. Solomon Islands - Officials and employees 3. Women - Pacific Area 4. Sex Discrimination against women - Pacific Area 5. Male domination (social structure) - Pacific Area This is the first book published about Solomon Islands women by Solomon Islands women. It collects the life stories of 14 women who broke through the barriers-as Permanent Secretaries, Officers of Parliament, the only woman ever elected to Parliament, and a former Public Service Commissioner. The stories speak of their childhoods, their education-often while separated for years from their families-and their first paid employment. They wrestle with the challenges they faced to be promoted, who supported them on their breakthrough journeys, and where they met the most resistance. Finally, they offer some advice to the younger generations of women who will follow them. Being the First fills a gap in information about the Solomon Islands and the experience of Pacific women-and their stories-which has not been available before.