A woman has been chosen as senator in American Samoa's Pago Pago village district, replacing a retired judge, who had served the district for the last eight years.
While members of the House of Representatives are elected by voters from their respective districts, members of the Senate are chosen by their districts following traditional meetings of chiefs.
One of the major qualification for a Senator is that the person must hold a ranking chiefly title.
The Pago Pago district selected Asuega Fa'amamata, one of the territory's few female chiefs, as its new senator to replace Tuaolo Fruean.
When the new legislature convenes in January, Asuega Fa'amamata will be the only female lawmaker in the Fono.
