We love celebrating everyday superheroes on GirlTalkHQ, and if there was ever a definitive description of the word, we have no doubt Luana Tupou’s image would accompany it. And we have to thank our friends over at digital media platform La Vida Liverpool in the UK for the head up about this story!
A Las Vegas real estate agent is empowering the women in her community to show that being heroic is not just about climbing the ladder of success, but giving back and sowing the seeds for others to follow in her wake. Fifty one year-old mother of nine, Luana Tupou, is one of Vegas’ most successful real estate agents with The Thomas Group, but she also works tirelessly behind the scenes to promote female empowerment and wellbeing through the She Is Royal Foundation – an organization that uplifts the stories and struggles of Pacific Islander women, and build community around them when they need support
As a retirement specialist for The Thomas Group, a top 2% real estate firm known as ‘the ethical agents’, Luana has established herself as one of the most respected agents in her field but is also an integral part of She Is Royal, as she donates a percentage of each property deal to the cause.
At The Thomas Group, Luana leads with compassion and empathy to secure property sales for older clients — treating them as if they were her own family members. Meanwhile, she dedicates many hours to She Is Royal, giving motivational talks and working to provide women with free support and retreats.
Through her pledge to donate a percentage of her property sales to the non-profit, she is able to provide scholarships for women to attend workshops, talks, and other initiatives for the Polynesian women who are part of the community. Due to her background, this is something that is very close to Luana’s heart, which she explained in an interview with La Vida Liverpool.
“I was born in a small town in Hawaii and Polynesian culture can be quite suppressive towards women. In my case, I became a problem child, left home at 17 and had my first kid at 19. I quickly found myself in a bad relationship where I didn’t have a voice — resulting in me being in a really dark place and living in a shelter at one point. Things got really bad,” she recalled.
“Fortunately I found the strength to pick myself up and come back fighting. I got a job as a paralegal, working during the day and studying through the night. I bought my own home as a single mum, met my husband and gained my real estate license whilst pregnant with twins. I now have 9 children and have become a top real estate agent. Now I want to help other women step into their power too,” she continued.
According to 2012 data from the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV.org), 18% of Asian or Pacific Islander women reported experiencing rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Recent data from a February 2023 Pacific Women Lead report outlined that Pacific women face some of the highest levels of violence in the world. An estimated 60 per cent of women and girls have experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member. Violence affects women first and foremost but also affects children, families and communities. Violence against women is reinforced by community acceptance and impunity for perpetrators.
The implications of Luana sharing her story with other women publicly, being a symbol of hope and opportunity, cannot be underestimated. She is showing immense courage and leadership in this way, with the message that other women are not alone and can also find a way out of their difficult situation.
Luana regularly shares her story with the Polynesian women of the She is Royal Foundation, encouraging them to find their voice and stand up against abuse and suppression. Their ‘Fix Your Haku’ concept aims to inspire and empower while also guiding women to the appropriate support resources they need.
“I’ve turned my life around and I’m in a really good place. I’m part of a Top 2% real estate agency, The Thomas Group, that has a great charity ethos and it’s an honor for me to use that success to pledge money to support women in the She Is Royal community. I want to not only support other women but also show them that they too can stand up, fight and create their own success,” said Luana.
You can learn more about The Thomas Group, Luana’s real estate team, by clicking HERE. Follow the She Is Royal Foundation, or donate to their mission, on Instagram.
