Celebrating Grace Sipolo’s Trailblazing Journey at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development
In observance of International Women’s Day, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) honours the extraordinary journey of its longest-serving female employee, Grace Julia Sipolo, a trailblazer whose dedication and resilience have paved the way for women in the traditionally male-dominated field of infrastructure development.
Hailed from the small village of Foubulu in East Malaita, Grace is a devoted mother of three with an illustrious career spanning 37 years across various departments within MID.
At 57, she stands as a beacon of determination, having navigated the challenges of working in the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Utilities since 1988—a time when the profession was largely perceived as a man’s domain.
Reflecting on her early years, Grace recalls the significant hurdles she faced as a young woman striving to balance professional ambitions with cultural values in a demanding workplace.
“Back then, the ministry was often seen as a man’s domain,” she shared.
“But every challenge brought opportunities; I learnt that respect is the cornerstone of success in this ministry.”
Grace began her journey as a secretary for the ministry’s training arm, dedicated to fostering skilled tradespeople such as mechanics, carpenters, plumbers, and electricians.
Working under British officials during a transformative post-colonial period, she absorbed essential lessons in professionalism and punctuality.
“The work ethics were stringent then, and they instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility,” Grace reflects.
In 1992, Grace transitioned to a pivotal role as a data entry clerk within the mechanical division storehouse, where she was responsible for cataloguing spare parts for government vehicles and played an integral role in modernising processes through the introduction of computer systems.
Her ability to adapt and unwavering commitment led to her appointment as Executive Personal Secretary (EPS) in 2012, where she effectively managed administrative tasks for high-profile stakeholders.
“I handled everything from appointments to correspondence, ensuring that ministers and permanent secretaries were always prepared,” she explained.
As she prepares to exit the public service as a fixed-term contract employee, Grace looks back with pride.
“I have served seven ministers in my role as EPS.
“Dealing with customer expectations in a fast-paced environment was challenging,” she admits.
“However, I developed strategies to manage those interactions effectively, ensuring our work continued seamlessly.”
Grace holds fond memories of her time in the mechanical division, particularly the familiar alarm sounding at 7:30 a.m., a daily cue that signalled the start of duty.
Allan Rangi, MID’s Human Resource Manager, expressed deep respect for Grace’s extensive service.
“Many of us were still in high school while she served this ministry in the 1980s,” Rangi said.
“She is not only a pioneer within our ministry but also an inspiration for women across all government sectors,” he added.
“Her lessons in respect and perseverance are invaluable for the young women entering the doors of this office.”
MID is committed to enhancing gender mainstreaming and prioritising women’s inclusion and leadership in its four divisions: Corporate Services, Transport Infrastructure Management Services, Land Transport Management Services, and Architecture and Building Management Services.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action: Celebrating, Learning, Empowering, Protecting, and Creating Opportunities for Women in the Solomon Islands,” was celebrated at the National Museum Auditorium this week from 11th to 13th March.
The event was ttended by women across the government ministries and agencies was organised by the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children, and Family Affairs in partnership with the Australian Government and Pacific Women Lead. – Source: MID Press