-As we commemorate IWD-2024 today
By Jerromie S. Walters
As Liberia joins the world today, March 8, 2024, for the commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD), it enlightens us to recognize the commitment of scores of Liberian women who are doing exceptionally well in their respective areas. Amid the barriers that continue to suppress their growth and visibility, these women have been resilient.
International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8th to honor and recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day to advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. The day has been observed for over a century and is an opportunity to reflect on progress made, raise awareness about ongoing issues, and inspire further action towards a more inclusive and equal world for all genders.
The United Nations has designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion. For us, today we consider the selfless sacrifices of women from politics to advocacy, entertainment, sports, and different professions and areas of specialization, and we consider them as the LIVING HEROINES.
Inarguably, we couldn’t jumpstart this without beginning with the superior of them all, Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose commitment and service to society have not only reflected on Liberia but Africa and the world at large.
1. Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Politician)
Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born Ellen Eugenia Johnson, 29 October 1938) is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.
Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to a Gola father and a Kru-German mother. She was educated at the College of West Africa. She completed her education in the United States, where she studied at Madison Business College, the University of Colorado Boulder, and Harvard University. She returned to Liberia to work in William Tolbert’s government as Deputy Minister of Finance from 1971 to 1974. Later, she worked again in the West, for the World Bank in the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1979, she received a cabinet appointment as Minister of Finance, serving until 1980.
After Samuel Doe seized power in 1980 in a coup d’état and executed Tolbert, Sirleaf fled to the United States. She worked for Citibank and then the Equator Bank. She returned to Liberia to contest a senatorial seat for Montserrado County in 1985, an election that was disputed. She was arrested as a result of her open criticism of the military government in 1985 and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment, although she was later released.
Like Harriet Beecher Stowe said, “Women are the real architects of society.” Sirleaf proved this after she won the 2005 presidential election and took office on 16 January 2006. She was re-elected in 2011. She was the first woman in Africa elected as president of her country. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, in recognition of her efforts to bring women into the peacekeeping process. She has received numerous other awards for her leadership. In June 2016, Sirleaf was elected as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States, making her the first woman to hold the position since it was created.
2. Jewel Howard Taylor (Politician)
Liberia’s immediate former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has left an indelible mark on history as the first woman to serve as First Lady, Senator (twice), President of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank, Deputy Bank Governor, Standard Bearer of a political party, and Vice President of a country, consecutively. Her legacy is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment in Liberia and beyond.
Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor’s journey to becoming a trailblazer in Liberian politics began long before she assumed any of her groundbreaking roles.
Born on January 17, 1963, in Liberia, she was raised in a modest family. Despite the challenges she faced growing up, Howard-Taylor always aspired to make a difference in her community and break barriers for women. Her rise to prominence began when she married Charles Taylor, who later became the President of Liberia from 1997 to 2003.
As First Lady, Madam Howard-Taylor played an active role in addressing social and humanitarian issues that plagued her country. She championed causes related to women’s rights, education, health, and economic empowerment, laying the foundation for her future endeavors in politics.
After the end of her husband’s presidency, Madam Howard-Taylor ventured into the political arena herself, seeking to bring about real change from within. In 2005, she successfully contested and won a seat as a senator of Bong County, becoming the first woman in Liberia to serve in the Senate. This achievement not only shattered a long-standing gender barrier but also provided a platform for her to amplify women’s voices and advocate for their rights in national decision-making processes.
During her tenure as a senator, Howard-Taylor demonstrated exceptional leadership capabilities, working tirelessly to address pressing issues affecting her constituents and championing legislation that promoted gender equality, social justice, and economic development. Her dedication to serving the people earned her a second term as senator in 2014, solidifying her role as a respected and trusted political figure in Liberia.
Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor’s commitment to public service extended beyond her role as a senator. In her capacity as President of the Agricultural Cooperative Bank, she focused on empowering farmers and rural communities by providing financial support and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, her subsequent role as Deputy Bank Governor showcased her expertise in economic management and her commitment to fostering inclusive growth.
In 2017, Madam Howard-Taylor embarked on another historic journey, becoming the Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party and securing the position of vice president alongside President George Weah. As the Vice President of Liberia, she worked tirelessly to promote national reconciliation, advance women’s rights and gender equality, and champion socio-economic development initiatives. Her tenure focused on empowering women and youth, recognizing their potential as agents of change and key contributors to Liberia’s future.
3. Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh (Chief Justice)
Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh is a Liberian judge and politician currently serving as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia and was nominated on August 23, 2022.[1] She began to serve after the retirement of former Chief Justice Francis Korkpor on September 27, 2022. Chief Justice Yuoh was born in Montserrado County and educated at a Catholic high school in Monrovia. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Cuttington University (1978) and a Bachelor of Laws from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia.
She worked in the Liberian government, as an assistant minister for legal affairs from 1983–1985 and as the coordinator of African affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1988–1990. From 2000–2003 she worked for the Central Bank of Liberia, where she came under criticism for receiving “excessive Board of Director fees’, before serving as acting executive director and then commissioner of the Law Reform Commission from 2011 until 2013. In 2013, Yuoh was appointed as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, one of two women among the court’s five justices.
In April 2016, a Roberts International Airport security officer was imprisoned for a week on contempt charges after Yuoh complained that he had disrespected her. In October 2016, Yuoh lifted a stay order on the holding of the election for speaker of the House of Representatives, declining Alex J. Tyler’s plea that he was removed unconstitutionally leading to the election of her husband’s friend Emmanuel Nuquay.
In March 2017, Yuoh was one of the three justices to vote in favor of the controversial new National Code of Conduct which prohibits officials appointed by the president from engaging in political activities. On August 23, 2022, former President George Weah nominated Yuoh to replace Francis Korkpor as chief justice, as he planned to retire in September. Korkpor retired on September 27.
4. Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence (Politician)
Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, born and raised in Liberia, emerged as a symbol of resilience and tenacity. Having lived through the harrowing years of civil strife, she not only survived but thrived, dedicating her life to public service and the betterment of her fellow Liberians. A trailblazer in her own right, Senator Karnga-Lawrence made history by becoming the first female Senator of Grand Bassa County. Her journey in the Senate, spanning two terms since 2013, has been marked by unwavering dedication and a relentless pursuit of justice and equality.
Nicknamed the “lioness” and the “iron lady of the Senate,” Karnga-Lawrence has fearlessly shattered gender barriers in a predominantly male legislative body. Despite being the sole woman among 29 men during her first term, she navigated the challenges with poise and determination, earning respect for her commitment to the people.
As a champion of women’s and children’s rights, Senator Karnga-Lawrence has been a driving force behind legislation and initiatives aimed at safeguarding the vulnerable segments of Liberian society. Her advocacy for gender equality, coupled with her efforts to ensure access to essential social services, has positioned her as a formidable force for positive change.
In addition to her role as Senate Pro Tempore, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence is Grand Bassa County Senator, and she is the political leader of the Liberty Party and chairs the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), a coalition comprising the country’s top four opposition parties. Her leadership within these political entities showcases her ability to foster collaboration for the greater good of Liberia. Senator Karnga-Lawrence’s academic background is as impressive as her political career.
Holding a BSc in business management from the University of Liberia and an MBA in business administration/marketing from Kutztown University in the USA, she combines academic rigor with practical leadership on the Senate floor. Her commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility has been a cornerstone of her political philosophy. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has consistently spoken out against the mismanagement of Liberia’s resources and has advocated for transparency and accountability in government.
Beyond her legislative duties, Madam Karnga-Lawrence is actively involved in philanthropy through her foundation, Nyonblee Cares. This nonprofit organization focuses on improving the socio-economic well-being of impoverished Liberians, with initiatives ranging from providing medical equipment to supporting STEM training programs in colleges across the country. Notably, Senator Karnga-Lawrence’s international outreach efforts played a crucial role during the Ebola crisis when she addressed the Pennsylvania State Senate and lobbied top-ranking members of the United States Congress. Her advocacy efforts resulted in the approval of $7 billion in funding to combat the virus globally, benefiting Liberia. Before her illustrious Senate career, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence served as the public relations manager at Liberia’s Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC).
Her tenure was marked by effective communication strategies, capacity building, and advocacy for the welfare of LPRC employees. Despite personal tragedy with the loss of her husband, Adolph Akwe Lawrence, a geologist and former member of the House of Representatives, Senator Karnga-Lawrence remains steadfast in her commitment to public service. As a mother of two boys, a girl, and seven adopted children, she draws strength from her family’s support and her roots in a reputable and esteemed family.
5. Sara Frances Beysolow Nyanti (Diplomat)
Madam Sara Frances Beysolow Nyanti is Liberia’s current Foreign Affairs Minister. She was appointed by President Joseph Boakai in January 2024, and confirmed by the Senate on February 9, 2024. Madam Sara Frances Beysolow Nyanti(born 1968) is an international development expert and Liberian pastor. She has more than 20 years of professional experience. She was the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General from December 2021 to her retirement in July 2023.
Nyanti held senior positions in the Liberian Ministry of Health from 1999 to 2003, including as Director of the National AIDS Control Program.[5] She wrote the country’s first grant to the Global Fund for money to combat malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis.[6] During the conflict and transitional government periods, Nyanti worked for the United Nations in Liberia. From 2005 to 2009, Nyanti worked for the UN in Nepal, before becoming UNICEF HIV/AIDS advisor to the representatives in Namibia and Kenya in 2009. She was head of the UNICEF office in Lagos from 2015 to 2015. She was a UNICEF Representative in Gambia from 2015 to 2017 and in Yemen from 2019 to 2020.[5][9] In January 2021, she was appointed Resident Coordinator for the UN in Nepal.
Madam Nyanti was a key figure in the response to Nigeria’s Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and has been a leader in the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Since 2019, she has been the highest-ranking Liberian in the UN.
In November 2021, she moderated the second day of the Women Political Leaders’ fourth annual Reykjavik Global Forum, noting the need for gender equality to move from policy to action.
In December 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appointed Nyanti Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Resident Coordinator in South Sudan,[5] succeeding Alain Noudéhou of Benin.[13] The role is an Assistant Secretary General.
6. Mrs. Kartumu Boakai (First Lady)
Mrs. Kartumu Boakai is the wife of President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Throughout her life, she has helped young people with meaningful opportunities to excel their lives. In 2021, she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. She has also been effective in heightening women issues.
7. Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung (Second Lady)
Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung is the wife of Liberia’s Vice President Jeremiah Koung. This makes her the second lady of Liberia. As she ascends to the post, she’s now enraged with the responsibilities to ensure the well-being of members of the Group of 77. Mrs. Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung recently visited the office of the Group of 77 located on Newport Street. It was an unofficial visit aimed at viewing the facility and seeing her soon-to-be office and people. The visit reinforced her passion and commitment to her people and gave her an idea of their needs and wants
8. Leymah Gbowee (Activist)
Leymah Roberta Gbowee (born 1 February 1972) is a Liberian peace activist responsible for leading a women’s nonviolent peace movement, Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace that helped bring an end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003. Her efforts to end the war, along with her collaborator Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, helped usher in a period of peace and enabled a free election in 2005 that Sirleaf won. Gbowee and Sirleaf, along with Tawakkul Karman, were awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize “for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.”
Gbowee is the founder and president of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, founded in 2012[11] and based in Monrovia, which provides educational and leadership opportunities to girls, women, and the youth in Liberia. In addition, Gbowee is the former executive director of the Women Peace and Security Network Africa, based in Accra, Ghana,[12] which builds relationships across the West African sub-region in support of women’s capacity to prevent, avert, and end conflicts.
She is a founding member and former coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Program/West African Network for Peacebuilding (WIPNET/WANEP). She also served as the commissioner-designate for the Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Gbowee speaks internationally to advance women’s rights, peace, and security. In 2016, Gbowee spoke at a protest march organized by Women Wage Peace, a political grassroots group working to advance a peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.[16]
Gbowee is also an outspoken supporter of fellow Liberian Ebenezer Norman’s non-profit organization A New Dimension of Hope, a foundation that builds schools in Liberia. In May 2015, she wrote personal letters to the contributors of NDhope’s crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo and has spoken at their events.[17][18][19][20]
As of April 2017, Gbowee is also Executive Director of the Women of Peace and Security Program at AC4, Earth Institute, Columbia University. In the spring of 2002, Gbowee was spending her days employed in trauma-healing work and her evenings as the unpaid leader of WIPNET in Liberia. Her children, now including an adopted daughter named Lucia “Malou” (bringing the number of children to five), were living in Ghana under her sister’s care.[5]: 148 Falling asleep in the WIPNET office one night, she awoke from a dream where she says God had told her, “Gather the women and pray for peace!”[5]: 122 Some friends helped her to understand that the dream was not meant for others, as Gbowee thought; instead, she realized that she needed to act upon it herself.[5]: 122 [29]
Following a WIPNET training session in Liberia,[5]: 124 Gbowee and her allies, including a Mandingo-Muslim woman named Asatu, began by “going to the mosques on Friday at noon after prayers, to the markets on Saturday morning, to two churches every Sunday.”[5]: 126 Their flyers read: “We are tired! We are tired of our children being killed! We are tired of being abused!! Women, wake up – you have a voice in the peace process!” They also handed out simple drawings explaining their purpose to the many women who couldn’t read.[5]: 127
By the summer of 2002, Gbowee was recognized as the spokeswoman and inspirational leader of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, described as a peace movement that started with local women praying and singing in a fish market.[30] Working across religious and ethnic lines, Gbowee led thousands of Christian and Muslim women to gather in Monrovia for months. They prayed for peace, using Muslim and Christian prayers, and eventually held daily nonviolent demonstrations and sit-ins in defiance of orders from the tyrannical president at that time, Charles Taylor.
They staged protests that included the threat of a curse and a sex strike. Of the strike, Gbowee says, “The [sex] strike lasted, on and off, for a few months. It had little or no practical effect, but it was extremely valuable in getting us media attention.”[5]: 147 In a highly risky move, the women finally occupied a field that had been used for soccer; it was beside Tubman Boulevard, the route Charles Taylor traveled twice a day, to and from Capitol Hill.[5]: 136 To make themselves more recognizable as a group, all of the women wore white T-shirts, signifying peace, with the WIPNET logo and white hair ties.[5]: 136 Taylor finally granted a hearing for the women on 23 April 2003. With more than 2,000 women amassed outside his executive mansion, Gbowee was the person designated to make their case to him.[5]: 140 Gbowee positioned her face to be seen by Taylor but directed her words to Grace Minor, the president of the senate and the only female government official present.
9. Dr. Sovich Sankoh Karmorh (Doctor)
Dr. Sovich Sankoh Karmorh is a Liberian medical doctor who has decided to go into an area of medicine that is uncommon in Liberia.
She has always loved studying science and when she graduated from high school, studied at the University of Liberia. She later attended the only medical training school in Liberia, the A.M. Dogliotti College of Medicine where she graduated with honors.Not comfortable with just doing medicine, she wanted to help farmilies even more and decided to study Clinical Embryology.
She enrolled at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom where she earned a Masters of Science in Clinical Embryology Assisted Reproductive Technology. Still in a quest for scientific research she joined the Thrivus Insti-tute for Biomedical Science and Technology, and is currently pursuing a Doc-tors of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Embryology.
She has 9 years of training in maternal and newborn care, her passion is a “healthy mother, healthy baby and a healthy family.” Her ultimate passion and strength lies in helping couples build their families through natu-ral and scientific means. Dr Karmorh has worked several years within the Libe-rian health sector in the department ofObstetrics and Gynecology. (MoH) and the educational sector at the University of Liberia, T.J.R.Faulkner College of Science and Technology.
She has published two Reproductive articles and a co-developed the’Safe Abortion Practice Guidelines for Liberia, 2018. Dr. Karmorh is most proud of her role as CEO and Co-founder of New Begin-ning Fertility and Medical Center, Liberia’s premier IVE center located in Marshall, Margibi county with a vision of adding value to families.
10. Geraldine George (Military Executive)
Geraldine Janet George is Liberia’s current Acting Defense Minister. She last served as Brigadier General of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Geraldine Janet George is a female career soldier with extensive military leadership skills. She has served in the following posts in the Armed Forces of Liberia: Acting Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Military Police Company Commander, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Brigade S-5, CIMIC Officer, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Provost Marshal, 23rd Infantry Brigade; Legal Officer, Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; Acting Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters; Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel (ACOS J1)(2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters and Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation (ACOS J3) (2x), Armed Forces of Liberia Headquarters.
George, a graduate of the College of West Africa (CWA), holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, from Webster University, USA; and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice, from African Methodist Episcopal Zion University College, Monrovia. She also obtained several certificates: Intelligence, Fight against Terrorism, Rome, Italy; Administration of Justice, Liberia Institute of Public Administration, Monrovia; Public Sector Management, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), University of Sierra Leone.
From the several military trainings attended, she attained the following certificates and diplomas: Initial Entry Training (IET), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Advance Individual Training (AIT), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course (BNCOC), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Officer Candidate School (OCS), Barclay Training Center (BTC), Liberia; Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Benning, USA; Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Benning, USA; Military Police Basic Officer Leadership Course, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, USA; Company Commander Course, Rwanda Military Academy, GAKO, Rwanda; Junior Staff Course (JSC), Horton Academy, Freetown, Sierra Leone; United States Army Command and General Staff College, USA; and United Nations Staff Officer and Military Component Planning Process (Western Accord 14), USA.
Furthermore, she has bag lots of awards and authorizations: Distinguished Graduate Advance Individual Training, 22 December 2006; Pistol Classification Sharp Shooter, January 2008; and the United Nations Medal (MINUSMA), 28 SEPT 2017. As it relates to authorization, she is authorized to wear the Fort Leavenworth School Badge from the Command and General Staff College, authorized to wear the International Students Military Badge, and authorized to wear the Basic Military Police School Badge. She was enlisted into the AFL on July 24, 2006, as part of the first batch of soldiers of the restructured Armed Forces of Liberia.
11. Juli Endee (Advocate/Social Worker)
Queen Juli Endee is Liberia’s cultural Ambassador, social worker, and a notorious campaigner for peace in Liberia. She was born in Firestone Margibi County, her father hailed from Nimba County but owes gratitude to Bong County, the home county of her mother for her cultural and traditional orientation. She became Liberia’s Culture Ambassador in September 1995, a title conferred on her by the Liberian Government having played a pivotal role in galvanizing support for Liberian artists in the diaspora and back home to use their artistic skills to promote peace in Liberia. She is a Social Worker, A Community Engagement Expert, and an Advocate.
She received the highest honor from Liberia—the grand commander of the Humane Order of African Redemption. A chieftaincy title “Ochioha Nwayi” was bestowed on Queen Endee in the Nigerian state of Enugu; she is a chief of Ezeokwe ancient Kingdom Ibagwa Nike Enugu State, Nigeria.
She is a two-time winner of the Hollywood Africa Prestigious Award. She is accredited for her debut single for former United States of America President George W. Bush in which he danced during his visit to Liberia, West Africa; she also performed at the Ecowas Summit with all 16 Heads of State in attendance.
Queen Juli Endee is the brain behind the discovery of a young and talented disabled kid called Semah G Weefur to connect with Nigeria Superstar Flavour Nabania. She is the content Champion for Expo 2020 Dubai Liberia’s Pavillion in the UAE.Ambassador Endee is the Executive Director of the Liberia Crusaders for Peace (LCP), and Lead Organizer of the Golden Image Award.
12. Emma Metieh-Glassco (Public Servant)
Born as a native of the oldest independent Republic in Africa, Liberia, Mrs. Emma Metieh-Glassco is an achieved young Ocean Governance Expert with a wealth of experience (over eight years) and knowledge in both fisheries and maritime sectors. She obtained her Master of Science (MSc) in Maritime Affairs with an emphasis on Ocean Sustainability Governance and Management from the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmo, Sweden, where she extensively covered the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other related maritime courses modules such as International Maritime law and Policy, Multilateral Diplomacy and Negotiations, etc.
She also obtained a diploma in Ocean Governance and Sustainable Fisheries Management in Australia from the Australia National University (ANU). At ANU she was allowed to visit Rhodes University in Mauritius, East Africa, where she participated in a training on Sustainable Fisheries Management. As a maritime professional, Madam Glassco served her Internship at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters, in London, United Kingdom.
During her internship, she was privileged to serve as a National Observer at high-level international conventions working sessions such as the 71st session of the Maritime Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the 67th session of the Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC) organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) as well as the Abidjan Convention COP12 in Ivory Coast, West Africa.
Premised on her concrete academic credentials, professional competence, and personal skills, former President George Manneh Weah reposed his explicit confidence in her person, through a Presidential appointment in February 2018 to serve as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), a regulatory body and revenue-generating arm of the government of Liberia; being one of privileged few to have received a national mandate following the President’s inauguration on 22nd January 2018. Upon exhausting her first term in the post in 2022, she was reappointed, considering her impact on the entity. Glassco took NaFAA from being a government liability and one of the few government entities that much wasn’t known about, to a massive revenue hub. Her commitment was also recognized by the United States.
As Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NaFAA, she is charged with the mandate as enshrined in the Act establishing the Authority to regulate all fisheries and fisheries-related activities, inclusive of Aquaculture within the Republic of Liberia, and to maximize revenue generation thereby enabling an increased contribution to the National budget of the Republic of Liberia; as well as to establish and strengthen relations with international bodies aimed at attracting potential investments for the development of the fisheries sector.
Madam Glassco served as a volunteer Global Youth Ambassador to Liberia for the United Nations as the first female, to promote and advocate for “Girls Quality Education”, the UN-Secretary Special Envoy on Global Education Initiative.
13. Daintowon Domah Paye-Bayee (Activist/Public servant)
Daintowon Domah Paye-Bayee (born August 4, 1983) is a Liberian advocate, accountant, administrator, politician, and the current executive director of the National Commission On Disabilities Liberia. At NCD, she took on several major initiatives, including the drafting of the entity’s work plan. She also ensured that the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) conducted a US$250,000 initial empowerment project for people with disabilities in July 2022.
The empowerment project was a government initiative that was aimed at improving and sustaining the livelihood of persons living with disabilities across Montserrado County. The entity operated on an Annual budget: of $629,000. It was less than this before her ascendancy to the post.
Daintowon is a graduate of the Grace Assembly of God Mission High School (Class of 2002/2003), New Georgia Gardnersville, Monrovia, Liberia. Shortly after her graduation, she enrolled at the University of Liberia in 2006 where she read Accounting and Management with emphasis in Project Management. In 2011, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree which was conferred by the late Dr. Emmet Dennis who died March 6, 2022.
In 2017, Daintowon contested as a Representative Candidate for District # 13. Montserrado County. Though unsuccessful, she was later that same year elected as Deputy Secretary General for Administration of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) which is the umbrella Organization for Youth and Students in Liberia.
She was an attending member at the convening of the African Youth with Disabilities Network from November 28 to December 4, 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya.[3] There she spoke about her work as an activist and elaborated on why the world needs to hear about Youth with Disabilities. On September 10, 2021, as the newly appointed Chairperson of the National Commission On Disabilities Liberia, she spoke at the program when visually impaired students requested that the University of Liberia introduce Braille amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Liberia.
Later in October 2021, under her leadership as the Chairperson of the National Commission On Disabilities, the commission celebrated World White Cane Day. As Chairperson, of the 2021 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD), The NCD leadership presented a national roadmap or a framework to the government to work with former President George Manneh Weah, President Of, and began extending personal helping hands to the Communities Of Persons With Disabilities by providing packages for them during the festive seasons.
The Commission also began receiving budgetary support as its budget was increased to $629,000.00 annually. UNDP also stressed that People With Disability’s rights were been seriously violated. Daintowon has also visited the US for the 15th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in June 2022. She last served as Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD).
14. Olubanke King Akerele (Diplomat)
Olubanke King Akerele is the granddaughter of Liberia’s 17th president. Charles D.B. King. A seasoned Diplomat and Politician, she has served in numerous roles over the years including Minister of Commerce and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
She has authored several books over the years including “Women’s Leadership in Post-conflict Liberia: My Journey”, and “The Growing of Africa’s Emergent Leadership”. Her love for education led her to obtain two master’s degrees one power Economics and another in Economics of Education.
Madam King Akerele is most proud of her work over the years in inspiring the younger generation across Africa to develop their minds and power- their countries better. Throughout her career, she has strived to promote the work of Liberians of the past whose works have not been recognized and received the kind of appreciation they should. given their roles in contributing to the Liberia we now enjoy. She also likes to say she is not easy She pushes herself to excel in others. Encouraging people never to settle for the second best and the keep striving. and She is a true Living Liberian Legend.
15. Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh (Diplomat)
Counsellor Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh is the Establishment Coordinator of the influential Liberian-based Angie Brooks In-International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Develop ment, International Peace and Security. As an advocate and champion of women-en’s rights and gender equality, she is best known for initiating the “Women’s Situation Room (ESR) for the Liberian elections.
WSR enables peaceful, democratic elec-tions led by empowered women, with youths, through a structure of volume-tears, a call center, a team of eminent women leaders, and a pool of expertsacross the country. Since then, the WSR has been successfully replicated in countries across Africa and has been recognized by the United Nations Security Council as one of the best mechanisms in peace and security.
She received her Juris Doctorate law degree with honors from the North Carolina Central University School of Law and serves on many US and Liberia boards including the United States Supreme Court Bar, the U.S. Federal District Bar, and the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL). She servedas a member of the National Transition Team which peacefully transitioned the Administration of President Ellen Johnson toGeorge Weah as President of Liberia.
16. Mary Tanyonoh Broh (Public Servant)
Mary Tanyonoh Broh is most known for her role as Mayor of Monrovia during the period 2009-2013. She is a systems fixer and her track record in setting standards wherever she goes is legendary.
When she was appointed Director of Passports at the Ministry of Foreign Af- fairs, Madam Mary met a unit that was plagued with many problems In a short time, she was able to see that people were receiving their passports on time and reduced the hassles and bureaucratic bottlenecks Tough-talking and a woman of action, her service as Mayor of the City Of Monrovia led to her establishing what is now known as the “Mary Broh Holiday”,where businesses and homes were required to clean their environment every first Saturday and not open for formal business until 10:00 am.
She also served in other official roles at the National Port Authority and Director General of the General Services Agency (GSA) and is most proud of the work she’s done across different sectors in Systern reforms.
17. Jebbeh Sambolah (Marketer)
Jebbeh Sambolah is the head of the marketing association in Bo Water-side, Grand Cape Mount County. Her work focuses on rallying women together to drive local economic growth and protect business activities.
Ma Jebbeh, as she’s popularly known, has a longstanding history of social advocacy against rape and- gen der-based violence, women’s rights issues, and inclusive rural development.
She is well-appreciated in her County for leading mediation with the UN Women for the extension of women development programs in Bo and other parts of Grand Cape Mount County, and is most proud of leading advocacy for the establishment of a Peace Hut to settle local disputes.
18. Laretta Alethea Pope Kai (Social Worker)
Madam Laretta Alethea Pope Kai heads the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL). Over the years, she has been proactive in executing her duties at the level of the Council and speaking on critical national issues, with crucial recommendations. Her mandate was overwhelmingly renewed in December of 2022 on a white ballot in Zwedru, Grand GedehCounty, in the Council’s 2022 General Assembly held from December 14-17.
During her first administration, Madam Pope-Kai registered the CSO Council giving it a legal standing, developed many institutional policies, and began the process of decentralizing the CSO Council across the country. She also ensured that the Council elected all fifteen county coordinators and regional coordinators, as a way of completing the leadership and maintaining the elaborate presence of the Council across all counties and regions of the country.
She maintained that completing her mandate and leaving an enviable legacy for her successors is her key focus going forward. “I am deeply focused on completing my mandate, leaving an unmatched legacy, and transitioning to something else. I, therefore, will give attention to no distractions coming from anywhere, whatsoever!” she concluded.
The NCSCL is the apex body and the umbrella institution for all civil society organizations in Liberia that are legally registered and recognized by the government of Liberia.
The institution was established on May 18, 2012, and its overarching goal is to harness the potential of civil society organizations for self-regulation, coordination, capacity building, and policy advocacy as well as to foster strategic partnerships amongst civil society actors, donor organizations, and local and international partners. She’s currently in the US after she was selected to participate in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program Project by the U.S. State Department.
The project, titled “Multi-Regional Project, NGO Management 1,” is scheduled to take place from Saturday, March 2, 2024, to Saturday, March 23, 2024. During this program, emphasis will be placed on showcasing the vital role of the non-profit sector in American society and how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) contribute to fostering an educated and engaged civil society as the foundation of democracy.
19. Esther Eyeah David Yango (Women’s Rights Defender)
Esther Yango, Executive Director of the Women’s NGO’s Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), the coordinating body of women’s groups in Liberia. She heads WONGOSOL, The organization’s vision is to have a society in which government, politics, business, civil society, and the daily lives of people are free of all forms of discrimination against women.
David has been steadfast in pushing women’s issues through WONGISOL which operates with a mission to stop discrimination against women and promote women’s participation and empowerment through partnership at all levels of society. The Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) was established as an organ for coordinating the activities of women’s organizations in Liberia in 1998. We coordinate the activities of women’s organizations in Liberia and bring women together to formulate and present their independent views on government issues directly affecting the women of Liberia. We have a membership of over 104 network members in the 15 political subdivisions of Liberia.
The NGO’s membership categories within the 15 counties encompass Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith-Based organizations, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). We are called to build the capacity of women NGOs and CBOs to promote sustainable peace and security. What we envision is a just and fair Liberian society where women and men equally participate in and benefit from decision-making processes at all levels in all areas.
20. Ms. Miatta Darwolor (Women’s Rights Defender)
Ms. Miatta Darwolor is the Founder and Executive Director of Sister Aid Liberia, a women-led non-governmental organization that promotes young women’s and girls’ rights in political participation and leadership, work to prevent violence against women and girls, and advocates for women-friendly policies and laws. Through Sister Aid Liberia, she has been proactive in advocating for women’s rights to be respected, and creating major opportunities to increase their political participation.
“I grew up in a poor family that was deeply rooted in tradition. Some of my sisters and aunties were members of the ‘Sande Society, where female genital mutilation (FGM) is practiced. Fortunately, I escaped the initiation – but that also meant I faced discrimination. I depended on scholarship programs to attend school. When I was in high school, I managed to support my mother to go to school with my income from part-time work. Her education opened her up to discussions on gender equality within our family; we agreed as a family to respect and value the rights of girls and boys equally.”
Since then, she added, “I have worked with several women’s organizations to raise awareness on women’s rights and the health implications of FGM. When I advocate for women’s rights, I am standing up for the rights of my sisters, mothers, and daughters. My life experiences have strengthened my resilience and fortitude. Through information from workshops, my family decided to never again ‘initiate’ girls through practices such as FGM. Instead, we decided to promote girls’ education. Sister Aid Liberia is now working with other women’s organizations to push for the signing of the FGM bill into law in Liberia.
21. Janice Smallwood Malekebu (Social worker)
Janice Smallwood Malekebu is the Executive Director of Sister4Sister International. Sister 4 Sister International works across Liberia to empower Women and girls through education, awareness campaigns, advocacy, and peace-building.
On February 1, 2023, Sister4Sister, through Mrs. Janice Smallwood Malekebu’s stewardship, disclosed a report that documented a rapid rise in violence against women and girls worldwide and current gaps in international law to address this crisis. The “Safer Now” report was released by the Every Woman Treaty, a coalition of over 2,000 women’s rights activists from 128 countries, including Libya, advocating for a new global treaty to address this issue. According to the report, the Coalition attributed the causes of the rise in violence to conflict, climate change, cyber violence, and the lockdowns associated with COVID-19.
They believed that although there are regional treaties to protect women from violence and international law against discrimination against women, there is no specific, overarching framework to protect women and girls from violence worldwide.
Every Woman’s Treaty is urging the UN and nations to adopt a global treaty to fill this legal gap and begin to address this growing crisis systematically. “Women and girls are dying.” The activists defending them are being hunted.
It read: “The violence is rising. This begs a single question. Are the needs of women and girls being met under the current system? “The indisputable answer is no,” says Najla Ayonbi, co-founder of Every Woman Treaty, in the report. “Najla was the first female judge in her province of Afghanistan who paid the price defending women’s rights with the assassination of her father and brother before she was forced to flee.”
22. Ne-Suah Beyan Livingston (Activist)
Ne-Suah Beyan Livingston is the founder and Executive Director of Rescue For Abandoned Children In Hardship(REACH). Growing up in an underprice-leged home, watching her mother who worked as a janitor struggling to make endsmeet motivated her to not only succeed to help her family, but also to help children-dren from similar backgrounds.
Ne-Suah founded REACH to give back to kids who are walking in the same shoes that she walked in as a child growing up in Liberia. Since the founding of REACH, her organization has seen a total of 50 kids from elementary through high school under the REACH Scholarship Program for underprivileged kids/orphans.
Out of this number, 10 of them are in different universities in Liberia! She has also been a fierce vocal activist on the abuse of children and supports children and their families directly to obtain urgent medical treatment, counseling, and other support. Her work cuts across Liberia and often intervenes to help children who have suffered severe burns, physically and sexually violated, or abused to seek the support they need.
In 2022, she urged the national government to ensure an increase in the living standards of common citizens to address the problems that affect girls in honor of the International Day of the Girl Child. The leading advocate for women’s rights stated in a special interview with our reporter on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, that as people’s ability to care for their children increases, so will people’s access to a better life, children’s street sales, the rate of rape, and other national issues.
“There are still many of our daughters who are unable to leave the house to attend school. Many of them continue to be pressured by their parents or other adults to integrate into Sanda society. Many of them are still being sexually assaulted and subjected to domestic violence, and I am concerned that after this generation, the struggle will only get tougher for our young children who are trying to grow up because the opportunity and access to education and better living standards are still a challenge for the girls,” She said.
She listed providing girls with the opportunity to pursue an education as one of the many major deficiencies she said previous governments have overlooked, along with the importance of raising the living standards of average inhabitants. A safe area for girls would not be easily ensured, Madam Livingstone continued, highlighting the failure of state officials to provide what would better the lives of regular people.
“Until public facilities are cheaper, more accessible, up to standard, and even better than private institutions,” she says, emphasizing the need for development, “the flaws will become our strength.” “The idea of sending their children to public school will never even cross the mind of a parent who cannot afford private education. She thinks I’m enchanting my youngster, which is true because public education has reached its lowest point.
Because of the lower pay at private schools, many of our public school teachers leave the classroom in favor of higher salaries. Additionally, the sanitary conditions at these campuses are so bad that they pose a health risk to us. To develop public amenities and provide a better life for our ladies and daughters, we must consider these factors.” he said.
23. Ms. Alfreda F. Nmah (Social Worker)
Alfreda F. Nmah is the Acting Executive Director of Hope-Inc., a non-profit organization, Helping Our People Excel Inc. (HOPE-Inc). The Organization recently launched alternative livelihoods for former traditional practitioners, girls, and young women to contribute to ending female genital mutilation (FGM).In October, Hope-Inc. under Alfreda’s leadership, held a one-day National Girls’ Conference, dubbed- “Girls’ Advocacy Forum 2023.” With a significant figure of young women from different communities across Montserrado and Margibi Counties, the conference was held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at the Empowerment Temple AME Church, Sophie junction, Congo Town, Liberia.
The forum is also held annually to encourage young people to brainstorm and create new ideas. “The girls’ advocacy forum is an annual event that we have every year for members of our girl’s clubs. We have clubs in four counties, that is- Bong, Bomi, Margibi, and Montserrado. We have 15 clubs so as an annual activity, we bring all of them together at one point to talk about issues that they are faced with in their communities.”
As narrated by Ms. Alfreda F. Nmah, the initiative was intendedto afford young women a safe space. “We want to create a safe space where girls can talk freely, they can seek advice, and they.” “During their month-long activities, they talked about issues, and as an after-action developed advocacy projects that we will support.” She says the forum was held in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
Helping Our People Excel (HOPE), Inc. is a not-for-profit entity incorporated in 2010 under the Association Law of 1976 of the Republic of Liberia. HOPE is managed by independent non-partisan professionals with the requisite educational background and practical experience in various fields. Due to the 14-year civil crisis, women and girls have had limited access to information and services on sexual reproduction health and rights, civic participation, and livelihood opportunities.
Alfreda leads HOPE whose gender perspective focuses on the attributes associated with being male and female, relationships between and among men and women, boys, and girls, and how this affects the distribution of power, resources, and opportunities. We understand that these attributes, opportunities, and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes. They are context-specific and changeable. Therefore, we are intentional in engaging boys and young men in discussions and actions that address the effects of power asymmetries, inequity, and social and gender norms on the health and rights of women and girls.
To this end, HOPE continues to be a leading not-for-profit local entity championing the cause of women and girls in Liberia, focusing on sexual reproductive health and rights, education for children (both boys and girls), and leadership development for women and girls. Intrinsically- HOPE’s mission is to “promote Women and Children’s social, economic and educational empowerment through personal development opportunities, building strong community partnerships, policy review and advocacy”. HOPE emphasizes ownership and empowerment by bringing the beneficiaries and key institutions together to discuss social issues. To ensure the social, educational, and economic empowerment of women and children (most especially girls) in Liberia.
HOPE has a work culture based on good values, which all internal staff and external stakeholders should recognize and adhere to. Our values are Trust – Transparency – Accountability -Responsibility – Participation – Excellence – Respect Commitment – Collective Care. HOPE employs a gender and human rights-based approach. This approach is applied throughout our work, with a focus on the principles of non-discrimination and equal access, participation and ownership, accountability and transparency, and the rule of law.
Over the last ten years, HOPE has empowered more than 500 women and girls as leaders across Liberia; constructed 2 POWER Centers to create a safe space for women to get help and receive survivor support in rural communities; established and continues to support 2 Women Economic Empowerment Cooperatives; provided scholarships to over a 100 children for primary and secondary education; and played leading advocacy roles for the adoption/declaration of several instruments including the Monrovia Declaration to the UN High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Manifesto for the Development and Empowerment of the Girl Child which has been translated into a 3-year national implementation plan, and the passage of the Children’s Law, 2011.
With support from donors, the entity has several ongoing social, economic, and education empowerment projects including:Social Empowerment: POWER- Promotion of Women’s Empowerment and Rights, Enough! Empowering women, girls, boys, and men to take positive action in ending GBV in Ghana, Liberia, and Mali, Sisters With Power/Girl Up Clubs, Boys2Men Clubs, National Girls Advocacy Forum, Education Empowerment: EDUCATE HER: Ensuring Gender Equality and Equity in Education, “Off the Streets Selling, Into a Seat Learning” Scholarships Economic, Empowerment: POWER Village Savings Loan Associations, POWER Agricultural Cooperatives.
24. Ms. Lisa Tenneh Diasay (Media Executive)
Ms. Lisa Tenneh Diasay is a household name in the Liberian media. Ms. Lisa Tenneh Diasay is the current President of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL). She won the December 15, 2023, presidential election of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), bringing to an end Madam Siatta Scott Johnson’s term as President of the Association over the past three years.
Since her ascendancy to the post, a lot has been seen for the Association through grants, and the availability of significant opportunities for female journalists. Lisa is also the Chief Executive Officer of A-MU-WLU Communications Inc., owner of Women’s TV-Liberia. We became impressed by the fact that she is a Feminist and certified Human Rights Defender. She has a demonstrable diverse range of expertise and a steadfast commitment to social justice and equality in her native Liberia.
As a courageous journalist, she has made a significant impact by shedding light on important issues and amplifying marginalized voices across a broad spectrum. Her dedication to feminist principles, values, and human rights advocacy has garnered enviable recognition and respect both locally and internationally. With more than a decade of professional experience in Electronic, Print, Online Media, and Media development, among other fields, Ms. Diasay has consistently been at the forefront of media innovation and women empowerment. Education has consistently held a paramount position in Lisa’s life.
In 2009, she achieved graduation honors from the Carver Mission Academy in ELWA, Paynesville, emerging as one of the top students in her class. Throughout her academic journey, she consistently secured a place on the honor list and earned various prestigious ranks within her alma mater. Following her high school education, Lisa pursued her passion for journalism, characterized by profound storytelling, and the empowerment of local voices by enrolling in and completing courses at the Jireh School of Journalism in Monrovia.
Under her zest for greater and professional knowledge, in 2017, Lisa meritoriously earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from African Methodists Episcopal University (AMEU) and received a Certificate from the Coca-Cola Innovation Institute as a distinguished scholar and President. Ms. Diasay holds numerous professional diplomas and certificates in areas such as Public Procurement, Records Management, Peace and Conflict Prevention, and media development. Additionally, she is a young diplomat affiliated with the Kofi Annan Living Memorial Program.
Determined more than ever before to face the trappings of an increasingly competitive job market, Ms. Diasay is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Development at the Cuttington University School of Graduate and Professional Studies. In this brief yet intensive period of study, she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors. Lisa’s academic foundation equips her to address her professional endeavors with a profound appreciation for the complexities inherent in sustainable development and its intersection with human rights.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Lisa has shared her professional experience with several institutions, including King’s FM, UNMIL Radio, Insight News, FrontPageAfrica, One Star News Network, Monrovia Times, and The Africa Probe Newspaper, among others. She has also provided consultancy services to various institutions. As a proactive measure to advance the achievement of Goal 5 of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on gender equality and equal participation, Ms. Diasay has leveraged her media expertise to create Women’s TV-Liberia, the sole online women’s television platform in Liberia.
This initiative is dedicated to empowering women, amplifying their narratives, and championing gender equality. Through Women’s TV-Liberia, Lisa has been instrumental in challenging established gender norms, and patriarchal systems, and actively advocating for the rights of women and minorities. Beyond her work in journalism and media, Lisa Tenneh Diasay is a passionate climate justice activist. She recognizes the urgent need to address environmental issues and their impact on human well-being.
Through her advocacy efforts, she seeks to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices and the need for collective action to combat climate change. Her work in this field has earned her accolades and made her a prominent voice for environmental conservation. Lisa Tenneh Diasay’s steadfast commitment to journalism, feminism, human rights, sustainable development, and climate justice exemplifies her fervor forging a more equitable and sustainable world. Through her relentless endeavors to confront societal norms, empower marginalized communities, and advocate for environmental conservation, she has emerged as a prominent figure in Liberia, serving as an inspiration to countless aspiring activists and change-makers.
Lisa believes that the world remains unequal if it takes compromise to give people their rights; if it takes money to respect the individual; if it takes a political deal to give people freedom, and if it takes a survey to remove repression.
Moreover, Ms. Diasay’s impactful work has garnered acclaim both at home and abroad, earning recognition from prominent rights groups such as Defend Defenders and Frontline Defenders. These accolades have translated into grants and support that enable her to empower journalists and women human rights defenders in Liberia, steadfastly advocating for their rights and uplifting local communities. In a recent achievement, Lisa secured a grant from the International Women Media Foundation to enhance media coverage of online violence against women in politics. Furthermore, her contributions extend to bolstering the visibility of various local civil society and media organizations in Liberia, including the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and SisterAid, among others.
25. Mrs. Naomi Tulay-Solanke (Women’s RightsDefender/Public Health practitioner)
Mrs. Naomi is a Liberian feminist who works with underprivileged youths and slum dwellers in hard-to-reach communities in Liberia. She is a Harvard 2017 Human Rights Award recipient and a 2016 fellow of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. To address menstrual hygiene management affecting girls’ retention in schools and women empowerment, she launched the Pad4Girls project, producing locally made eco-friendly, reusable sanitary pads.
Mrs. Naomi Tulay-Solanke is a trailblazing feminist, dedicated human rights activist, compassionate humanitarian, and the distinguished Founder and Executive Director of the Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI). CHI is a prominent non-governmental organization that has steadfastly delivered healthcare and social services to women and children in underserved and remote communities in Liberia since 2014.
Naomi has meticulously cultivated a career centered on female advocacy, demonstrating a profound commitment to working with underprivileged youths and slum dwellers. Her multi-faceted approach encompasses advocacy, empowerment, awareness, and the provision of essential health and social services, with an unwavering focus on women and girls.
Driven by her passion for elevating the voices and roles of local actors in development processes, Naomi actively engages at all levels to decolonize health and the aid sectors. She holds a master’s degree in Public Health, specializing in Community Health.
As an innovative Social Entrepreneur, Naomi spearheaded the PAD4GIRLS project. This groundbreaking initiative addresses menstrual health management by training women and girls to produce reusable sanitary pads locally. This not only makes sanitary pads more accessible but also promotes girls’ retention in school during their menstrual cycle, empowering them to thrive, learn, and lead.
Naomi and her team also pioneered the first Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) clinic on wheels in Liberia. This initiative advances access to family planning contraceptives, condoms, and safe and legal abortion services, ensuring women and girls have autonomy over their bodies.
Honored as a Dr. Fritz Raleigh Humanitarian Award Recipient from Harvard University in 2017, Naomi’s contributions have been recognized globally. She is an esteemed ASPEN New Voice Fellow and an ASHOKA Fellow, marking her as a change-maker in her field. Naomi serves as a board member of the Sanitation Hygiene Fund, further solidifying her commitment to public health and advocacy.
26. Brenda Brewer Moore (Writer)
Brenda Brewer Moore is the founder and Executive Director of Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), a charity with amission to promote literacy and reading in Liberia. She wrote a book titled: “Living Legends”. The project was intended to recognize Liberian women who have done extremely well in their respective areas of specialization.
Over the years under her leadership, KEEP has created 29 mini-libraries across Liberia, mostly in public schools. She previously published 5 children’s books, produced 2 movies raising awareness of rape and sexual violence against children, and has been an advocate against violence against women and children. In 2020, she was the recipient of the National Literacy Award for her work in promoting literacy across Liberia.
She is an Acumen Fellow and an Ashoka Fellow. She enjoys exploring African art and owns a cultural gift shop known asCurated Gifts Liberia, as well as a snail farm.
27. Caroline Moore (Musician)
Caroline Moore, better known as MC Caro, is a Liberian rapper and songwriter.[1][2][3][4][5] She gained recognition in the Liberian music industry through her viral freestyle” Pro Poor”.[6][7][8] MC Caro won the Best Female Rapper of the Year Award at the 2020 MTN Liberia Music Awards.
Caro started her rap journey in the underground scene of Liberia.[11] Despite her life in the slum and unpopularity then, the stereotypes and cultural barriers, Caro broke through into the Liberian music industry in 2018 through her viral freestyle” Pro Poor”.
In 2018, MC Caro made a viral song “Bring Back our Moni” voicing her frustrations about the missing two shipping containers with one hundred million dollars.[13][14] The song won the hearts of many due to its brutal stance on corruption.
28. Faith Terryson (Musician)
Faith Terryson, who is known professionally as Faithvonic, is a Liberian singer and songwriter from Grand Bassa County. She is also a fashion designer, graphic designer, content creator, and video director. Faithvonic derived her stage name from her first name and mother’s name and started writing and recording music in 2012.
In 2020, she won Tunes Liberia’s Best Female Artist of the Year. She has also received several nominations for the Liberia Music Award and Tunes Liberia Award. Faithvonic signed a record deal with Kimmie Weeks’ KLW Entertainment in 2014 but left the label in 2016 after her contract expired. On February 14, 2021, she released her debut extended play, Rich with You, to coincide with Valentine’s Day. She has released music to raise awareness about Ebola and COVID-19 and has partnered with ActionAid Liberia on several humanitarian projects. Faithvonic’s music is a mixture of Afropop and hippo.
Faithvonic partnered with ActionAid Liberia to hold a public dialogue at Red Light Market, where she spoke to men about violence against women.[11] She has also been involved with ActionAid Liberia’s Safe Cities campaign and Activista youth network.[3] Moreover, she is a Girl’s Rights ambassador for the NGO and has helped empower young girls across Liberia to advocate for their rights.[3] Faithvonic founded the “Speak Out Loud” foundation, an initiative that provides education for street sellers and underprivileged girls
Faithvonic is a member of the Bassa tribe.[1][2] She has four siblings and was raised by a single mother; her father died when she was two years old.[2] She was physically and mentally abused by her stepfather while growing up.[3] She started singing at the age of 10 and used music as a coping mechanism to deal with her childhood trauma.[3] In 2008, she moved to the Philippines to study at Southville International School and Colleges.[2] She also studied information technology and graphic design at Starz College of Science and Technology in Liberia
29. Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh (Journalist)
Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh is a four-time-award-winning Liberian journalist. Her passion for storytelling and reporting on the under-reported has led her to break landmark news headlines. Evelyn holds over 11 years of experience working as an active journalist. Her most recent media award was from the Press Union of Liberia in May 2022 for her report on Female Genital Mutilation. Evelyn has reported for both local and international media outlets. Her reports have been featured in the Turkish News Agency-Anadolu Agency (AA), the BBC, and she currently corresponds to Germany’s International Public Broadcaster, Radio Deutsche Welle English For Africa Service.
She is a New Narratives Fellow trained with in-depth skills in climate change, land rights, and investigative justice reporting. Her resilience and professionalism have led her to win a series of media reporting grants and fellowships from reputable international and national media development institutions which include, the National Geographic Society (NGS) as a storytelling explorer, Forum For African Investigative Reporters (FAIR), IREX, The International Women Media Foundation (IWMF), Womankind Worldwide, Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL), the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) UNCCD Fellowship, and WeltFilme, among others.
She recently joined senior journalist Prue Clarke in court in Paris to provide daily coverage of former Ulimo rebel Kunti Kamara’s appeal of his 2022 conviction and lifetime sentence for war crimes committed in Liberia’s civil wars.
Evelyn is also the founder and CEO of Just A Girl Initiatives, a not-for-profit that was established in late 2014 as a result of an investigative radio documentary she produced about the growing wave of teenage prostitution in post-war Liberia. Just A Girl leads advocacies and provides girls, women, and now young men empowerment opportunities to reduce their vulnerabilities, to enable them to live positively and become responsible citizens.
30. Bettie Johnson Mbayo (Journalist)
Bettie K. Johnson Mbayo is a Liberian journalist, with over nine years of experience in journalism. She currently works as a freelance journalist and a communication consultant.
She has investigated and reported on multiple major scandals involving major security institutions in Liberia, which has placed her in harm’s way with those involved. Her thematic areas of focus are women’s issues, politics, and writing on the judiciary or security system of Liberia.
Her career took a national stage when she started working as a reporter at FrontPage Africa, where she was nominated for the Thomson Reuters Young Journalism Fellowship and the Media Foundation for West Africa Anti-Corruption award.
She is a freelance journalist and The Stage Media (Liberia) co-partner. TSM is Liberia’s first fact-checking media institution with the overarching vision of mitigating misinformation and disinformation. Her work involves writing news stories and providing professional guidance to reporters within the entity. She was nominated for an international and regional award. Johnson-Mbayo has won over six awards from the Press Union of Liberia.
31. Benita W. Urey (Social Worker)
Benita Urey is a Sports Executive, Humanitarian, and blogger. She owns and runs the Healing Foundation, a humanitarian organization, and the Liberian Influence, a well-known blog in Liberia. She manages Shaita Angels, a female football team.
Undoubtedly, Benita Urey is not strange to the public considering her humanitarian efforts, role in the Liberian entertainment industry, and women’s football. She has been considered as one of the few persons that has women’s football to where it is today in Liberia, through moral, and financial support to the passionate young women in sports.
Benita Whitney Urey is the daughter of Benoni Urey, a Liberian businessman, farmer, and politician. Mr. Urey was a presidential aspirant and remains one of the faces of the political opposition. Benita migrated to the United States during the Liberian Civil War, but she constantly transitioned between the two countries during that time.
In 2003, after the Liberian civil war, she moved back to Liberia and attended school for several years. Ms. Urey is the Executive Director of Healing Liberia Foundation- a group that was established in early 2021 to provide healthcare services to less fortunate and underprivileged Liberians suffering from various illnesses and are unable to foot their medical bills at various hospitals and medical centers across the country.
In August of the same year, she won the prestigious Africa Value Awards for her immense and untiring efforts toward humanity by unilaterally rendering and soliciting funds to foot the medical bills of scores of ailing less fortunate Liberian citizens through her foundation.
In August 2022, Benita collaborated with two of her friends for the establishment of Sway Solid Waste Management Solutions, a waste collection company, that has been launched in Monrovia. The company is aimed at improving the local environment and offering employment to young people from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
Her motivation, “We started the first NGO when I visited WestPoint and saw that people needed help with sea erosion. As I did more work with that NGO, I realized that I wanted to help more than just sea erosion. So I established mobilizers for change that focus on different humanitarian efforts. We could have done all the work under the first NGO, but the name was tied to sea erosion. We needed one with a more encompassing name of everything we wanted to do.”
In an interview in 2020, when quizzed about her experience as a woman in the Liberian entertainment scene, Urey narrated: “For me, it has been great. But I try not to use my experience to define the Liberian woman’s experience in the industry. For example, on the topic of sexual harassment in the industry, based on who my father is, I might be more protected because someone wouldn’t want to get into problems with him or me on that.”
In October 2021, Urey was appointed as the Vice President of Shaita Angels a female football team. Established in 2019, Shaita Angels comprises a group of girls, the majority of whom hail from Careysburg, Montserrado County. Involved with kickball, one of Liberia’s traditional sports for a lengthy period, the girls took up that challenge to break gender barriers by choosing to play football. Her involvement in sports has made a significant impact on young females’ careers, and the team as well.
32. Edwina Crump Zackpah (Public servant)
In a rapidly evolving world of telecommunications, effective leadership is crucial for fostering growth, and progress. Madam Edwina Crump Zackpah, the current Head of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), has demonstrated exceptional capabilities and accomplishments since her appointment.
Madam Zackpah possesses a wealth of expertise and experience in the telecommunications industry. Her visionary leadership has led to the implementation of effective policies, resulting in increased competition with the presence of multiple mobile service providers (including the government), improved access to affordable telecommunications services, and enhanced digital connectivity across Liberia. Her deep understanding of the sector’s intricacies enables her to make insightful decisions that drive progress.
Under Madam Zackpah’s leadership, the LTA has been committed to promoting digital inclusion in Liberia. With digital technologies becoming increasingly crucial for social and economic development, bridging the digital divide is more pressing than ever. Through various initiatives, Madam Zackpah has worked tirelessly to expand telecommunications infrastructure to underserved areas Embracing digital transformation is crucial for any nation’s progress.
Madam Zackpah recognizes this and has been a strong advocate for promoting innovation and technological advancement within the telecommunications industry. Under her leadership, the LTA has facilitated the deployment of cutting-edge telecommunications infrastructure, encouraged investment in research and development, and fostered an environment conducive to innovation.
Recently, Madam Edwina Crump Zackpah, Chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) Board of Directors, announced the LTA’s commitment to implementing President Joseph Boakai’s initiative to provide digital skills training for 10,000 young people within six months of his administration.
Addressing the House on Tuesday, Madam Zackpah emphasized that equipping 10,000 young Liberians with digital skills will drive ICT usage and contribute to the nation’s digital advancement. She stated that the program aims to foster digital literacy, prepare the youth for digital success, and bolster economic growth. “We are not just teaching technology; we are empowering our youth for job creation and economic prosperity. This initiative is both inclusive and ambitious, targeting 10,000 students from all 15 counties of Liberia, ensuring gender balance,” she explained in a video presentation played during her appearance.
33. Moima Briggs-Mensah (Legislator)
Moima Briggs-Mensah is the Representative of Bong County District #6. Her work over the years has shown her weight in her district and the House of Representatives. At the legislature, Representative Briggs has been efficient in exercising her lawmaking, oversight, and representation roles as a legislator.
Following the end of her first six years as Representative of Bong County District #6, Representative Briggs-Mensah was re-elected during the October 10, 2023, legislative and presidential elections.
In December of 2022, Representative Briggs-Mensah was well graded “Good” in a critique by WomenVoices of the performances of female legislators, due to her commitment to re legislature. This was acknowledged through the many significant initiatives she has undertaken in her district, which her constituents have wholeheartedly embraced.
It was established in late 2023 that the Lawmaker pays a little over LRD$ 3million at high schools and universities for beneficiaries of her tuition aid program since 2018. Several communities have also witnessed the construction and dedication of town halls and market facilities across the District.
Following her election as Chairperson of the Bong Legislative Cause, her coordination with her colleagues and role as Chairperson has been felt in the county. Representative Moima Briggs Mensah was inducted as the Chairperson of the Christian Allies Foundation Parliamentary Caucus, Liberia Israel Allies Foundation, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at a formal program at the Abide In the Vine Fellowship Church In Jacob Town, Paynesville.
As a major campaigner for the reopening of the Liberian Embassy in Israel, the Bong County District #6 Representative recently heightened her advocacy in Israel and rallied support for young Liberians and Africans from Israel. Addressing a gathering of Israelites at the Israel Allies Foundation Parliamentarian Caucus Chairperson’s Conference in Jerusalem, Representative Mensah emphasized the significance of strengthening ties between Israel and Africa.
Rep. Mensah: “I’m asking Israell, take Africa seriously as you take other caucuses seriously because Africa, when we say we are with you, we stand with you. Pay attention to our quest (s). It’s important that people get trained in Africa.” She tells the gathering that Africa wants to tap in Is real knowledge as she rallies for opportunities for young Liberians, and Africans in general. In her remark, Representative Briggs-Mensah urged Israel to prioritize its engagement with Africa, highlighting the continent’s unwavering support for Israel. She stressed the need for investment in African education and training, calling for increased opportunities for young Liberians and Africans. “Africa seeks knowledge-sharing and educational partnerships with Israel,” she proclaimed, underscoring the significance of scholarships and training programs.
As American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” the Liberian women highlighted above are some of the many astute Liberian women who are making positive impact in their respective areas, regardless of the barriers placed on their gender.
-Happy International Women’s Day-
