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 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.
During the honoring of the various recipients, Madam OluBanke King Akerele, Liberia’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, articulated that Judge Emma Shannon
Shannon Walser’s Medal of Rule of Law, Good Governance & Patriotism i.e. Promotion of Peace; National Healing; Reconciliation; building: growing and promotion contribution to nation-building: growing of Patriotism & National Unity) -Living Medallists awarded as part of the year-long observation of 8 anniversary of LIGP which was established on 12 Dec. 2013.
Judge Walser had a keen sense of justice and was well-known as a Progressive and Liberal Judge. She is known historically. for amongst others, standing up to the Government in the wake of the 1979 civil disturbances.
Recognizing the recipients, and presenting their respective honors, Madam OluBanke King Akerele, mentioned: James Cambridge Dennis, SR., Kona Khasu,
Yatta Zoe, Mrs. Burdie Urey, and Leona Eastman. First amongst them all is James Cambric Dennis, Sr. He graduated from CWA and, in 1950, traveled to the United States to study medicine but eventually changed to journalism and graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City with a Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) degree. He later joined his father in the newspaper business in Liberia in 1962 at The Daily Listener, taking the paper from 4 to 48 pages-something he had picked up while working in the United States. Jimmy would later become a founding member of the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) in 1964 along with Kenneth Y. Best. and subsequently became its longest-serving president (1966-1980). Compelled by circumstances beyond his control, including the gruesome murder of his younger brother Charles Ceceil Dennis.
Ir on 22d Anril 1980. Jimmy relocated to the United States, where he currently resides, He is a proud father of several wonderful children and a devoted Christian.
Kona Khasu was raised in Bassa Community, Soniwehn, Jallah Town sections of Monrovia. He is a graduate of Monrovia College and holds a degree from Hobart College, Boston University, and Harvard. In the 1970s he directed the Liberian Cultural Troup at Kendejah, near Monrovia, and taught English courses at the University of Liberia for many years until the Liberian Civil War.
He produced and directed Liberia’s first TV series, Kotati, which was workshopped through Blamadon Theater. He most recently served as deputy minister of education for planning at the Ministry of Education from 2006 to 2012.”
Ma Yatta Zoe is a woman whose name became a household name in Liberia in the 60s and 70s. Having lost both her parents at a tender age, Yatta Zoe would travel the world because of her exquisite dancing skills, forming alliances with the likes of Mariam Makiba, Harry Bellefine, and many others. Her talent would also lead her to perform for the likes of Queen Elizabeth of England and President William VS Tubman during the Queen’s visit to Liberia, Emperor Bokasa of Congo at his coronation amongst others.
Mrs. Burdie Urey Weeks is the backbone behind the establishment of Liberia’s National Museum. Also honored was Leona Eastman. .
Judge Walser refused to condemn the alleged instigators of the 1979 Rice Riots and civil unrest. She was summarily dismissed for this, through a joint Resolution of the Legislature. This act prompted a cross-section of Liberian Women from all sections of society. Young Professionals and the Elders. amongst whom were several distinguished women as well as
the leadership of the Market Women, to submit an I’etiton to some 500 signatories against the action. The Petition was taken to the Legislature in protest. The matter also reached the Cabinet when President Tolbert looked at it there and said “The women of the nation are against me.” But all the women wanted was justice.
Even though no action ensued at the time, the impact of the Petition was felt when the
framers of the 1986 Constitution subsequently prescribed that the removal of judges must be preceded by due process
Reference the case of Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh which had to be accorded due process even though there were some lapses lor wach be went to the ECOWAS Court which in turn ruled against the actions of the government of Liberia, yet to be respected and acted upon by Africans oldest Republic
University students at the time. as per Ambassador A-Hassan Conteh current Liberian Ambassador (to Nigeria and former President of the University of Liberia, admired the Judge and gave her the nickname of Shakespeare “Portia from the Merchant of Venice because of her sagacity and interpretation of the Law. Notably in 2007, the Liberian Peupie’s Party vindicated Judge Shannon Walser by characterizing her as a person whose only “crime was to advocate for “participatory democracy” in Liberia.
In a tribute to her, Lberia’s former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf described the late Judge as unparalleled in the history of Liberia’s Judiciary.
In her words, the Judge was unique. No other Liberian Judge before or since has ever stood so firm and so visibly for the right to the full respect of individual and
collective human rights. At one point in our tumultuous history, she joined a demonstration by brave young people, in her judicial robes, epitomizing the ideal that justice must be seen and felt by ordinary people. “We owe her
a debt of gratitude for helping many to find the courage to hold on to their
moral compass and to show solidarity with those seeking a better Liberia.
In her response upon being honored, Ma Watta thanked the group for the honor. Since she was not a public speaker, she did a cultural performance as a formal appreciation.
Earlier at the occasion, Liberian educator, and former Education Minister Dr. Evelyn Kandakai did a walkthrough VOTE RL brochure. She referenced strives by the body before Sunday’s honoring event.
