– Honor patriots
By Jerromie S. Walters
On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace & Security and her partners held a Memorial in honor of Judge Emma Shannon Walser at the Ruth Morgenthau Reading Room of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, Capitol Hill, Monrovia, Liberia
In the connotation of the occasion, Madam Olubanke King Akerele, the Chair of the Board of Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace & Security said the Memorial was essentially a program of recollection and to award the Emma Shannon Walser medals for Rule of Law, Good Governance and Patriotism to the Liberian Eminent Women of the Women Situation Room (WSR) October 10 Elections on the third anniversary of the death of Judge Walser on 28 May 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
During the honoring of the various recipients, Cllr. Yvette Chesson Wureh, Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace & Security, also reminded her audience of the legacy of Judge Emma Shannon Walser who was the first female Circuit Court Judge in Liberia, renowned for her keen sense of justice and her progressive and liberal stance on judicial matters.
She encouraged the need for patriotism and unity, as she also rebounded Liberians to adopt the legacy of Judge Walser who had a keen sense of justice and was well-known as a Progressive and Liberal Judge
At the event, the commitment of individuals, including eminent women and men, representation of the at-risk youth, and the Motorcyclists Union of Liberia were recognized through the presentation of the prestigious Emma Shannon Walser medals.
Liberia’s Laureate Leymah Gbowee, Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, Olubanke King Akerele Cuttington University (CU)) President Dr. Romelle A. Horton, Cllr. Felicia Coleman, Madam Ophelia Hoff Saytumah, Madam Korpoh Howard, Madam Cyvette Gibson, Dr. Evelyn Kandakai, and Madam Vabah Gayflor were part of the many recipients of the Emma Shannon Walser medals for Rule of Law, Good Governance and Patriotism.
In a remark, the European Union (EU) Ambassador Nona Doprez reflected on the legacy of Judge Emma Shannon Walser. She venerated the ABIC and its partners for considering a representation of the EU. Ambassador Nona Doprez embraced the need for patriotism and alluded that the EU is proud to support the Women’s Situation Room.
Also as one of the honorees, the UNDP Resident Representative a.i. Louis Kuukpen said UNDP is proud to be a part of the initiative. However, he said there’s a lot ahead when it comes to delivering the Liberia Liberians want. He believes that the actualization of this requires sacrifices.
Moreover, he acknowledged the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace & Security and her partners for thinking in said direction, and admonished those who have not received that their time will come. He assured UNDP’s commitment to ABIC and Liberia in general.
On behalf of all other honorees, Cuttington University (CU)) President Dr. Romelle A. Horton hailed the efforts of ABIC and described it as a great endeavor. She nurtured the need for conformity among young Liberians and said they need to come after the elders who are pathing the way.
The event was held by the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace & Security, and the Liberian Institute for “Growing” Patriotism in collaboration with the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.
It can be referenced that as part of its contribution to the national inaugural program of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Voices of Elders RL VOTE R.L, a conglomeration of astute and vibrant elderly folks on Sunday, January 21, 2024, bestowed honor upon scores of elderly Liberians with the Judge Emma Shannon Walser Medal of Rule of Law, good governance and patriotism.
Judge Walser is known historically for standing up to the Government in the wake of the 1979 civil disturbances. Tuesday’s event was held by ABIC and her partners.
The Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC), is an outcome of the International Colloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security held in 2009 in Monrovia, Liberia
