By Shallon S. Gonlor
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
MONROVIA, Liberia — Nimba County Superintendent and Chairperson of the National Council of Superintendents of Liberia, Kou Meapeh Gono, has inspired young Liberian women to embrace resilience, perseverance and mentorship — emphasizing that humble beginnings and early setbacks should not determine their ultimate destinations in life.
Speaking on the theme, “Your Beginning Does Not Have to Determine Your Destination,” Superintendent Gono stressed that success is not a fixed endpoint but a continuous process of learning, growth and self-development.
She noted that regardless of how challenging, humble or uncertain an individual’s early circumstances may be, those conditions do not define what they can ultimately achieve.
To help young women navigate life’s inevitable challenges, Supt. Gono encouraged them to view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow rather than a permanent barrier to achieving their goals and aspirations.
She delivered the keynote address at the SHE’S THE WAY SUMMIT 2026, a girls’ mentorship summit held Friday, October 16, 2026, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia.
Organized by the MacDella Cooper Foundation, the summit brought together mentors, parents, educators and other distinguished guests to discuss girls’ mentorship, leadership, personal development and empowerment.
In her opening remarks, Supt. Gono commended the MacDella Cooper Foundation for investing in the mentorship, leadership and empowerment of girls and young women in Liberia.
She described her participation as an opportunity to share lessons from her personal journey, highlighting the importance of education, determination, perseverance and the influence of family support in shaping future leaders.
“Today, I stand before you not only as Superintendent of Nimba County and Chairperson of the National Council of Superintendents of Liberia, but also as a daughter, a mother and a woman whose journey has taught her valuable lessons about determination, education and perseverance,” she said.
Supt. Gono began her keynote address by reflecting on the life and sacrifices of her late mother, Theresa Yar Gono, whose determination and commitment to education helped shape the woman she has become.
According to the family and school accounts she referenced, her mother graduated from Sanniquellie Central High School in Nimba County in the early 1980s as the only female student in her class to pass the national examination.
However, her mother’s educational ambitions did not end with high school.
She subsequently moved to Monrovia to pursue higher education at the University of Liberia. To support herself and finance her ambitions, she sold doughnuts and bread and, at one point, drove a commercial taxi around the city.
Despite the challenges, she remained determined to obtain an education, build a family, acquire property and secure a better future for her children.
Supt. Gono said her mother’s determination demonstrated that a person’s circumstances or location should never place limits on their ambitions.
Reflecting on her mother’s influence, she noted that her own achievements were built, in many ways, on the sacrifices and example of the woman who raised her.
“Her determination helped shape my understanding of what is possible when a person refuses to surrender to circumstances,” she said.
Addressing the young women at the summit, Supt. Gono encouraged them to recognize and appreciate the sacrifices made by their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, teachers, guardians and other individuals who support their education and personal development.
She reminded the participants that some people make significant financial and personal sacrifices to ensure that young women have access to opportunities their families may not have enjoyed.
“Never take those sacrifices for granted,” she urged, encouraging the girls to take their education seriously, develop their abilities and prepare themselves for future opportunities.
“Your circumstances may not be perfect today, but your beginning does not have to determine your destination,” she added.
TURNING SETBACKS INTO OPPORTUNITIES
Drawing from her personal experiences, Supt. Gono explained that although her journey differed from her mother’s, both stories demonstrated the importance of determination, resilience and taking responsibility for one’s future.
She disclosed that she traveled to the United States to pursue her education, where she experienced the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood while attending college.
Despite those responsibilities, she remained committed to completing her education and eventually graduated.
Upon returning to Liberia, Gono said she was determined to contribute to her country’s development.
In 2011, she contested for the District Six seat in Montserrado County and finished second to an incumbent lawmaker.
Although the election outcome was disappointing, she said it did not end her political ambitions or prevent her from pursuing other opportunities to serve.
In 2012, she was appointed by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Assistant Minister of Administration at the Ministry of Labour.
She continued to gain experience in public service and later became involved in political efforts that contributed to the election of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in 2023.
Her journey eventually led to her appointment as Superintendent of Nimba County, a position she holds alongside her role as Chairperson of the National Council of Superintendents of Liberia.
Supt. Gono explained that her experiences taught her important lessons about overcoming disappointment, managing responsibilities and recognizing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Her experience of motherhood while pursuing an education taught her that life does not always unfold according to plan, while her unsuccessful election campaign demonstrated that disappointment does not have to end one’s ambitions.
Her public service experience, she added, continues to reinforce the importance of responsibility, accountability and commitment to the public good.
Addressing the girls, she encouraged them not to interpret academic difficulties, unsuccessful scholarship applications, financial challenges or delayed opportunities as evidence of their inability to succeed.
Instead, she urged them to learn from their experiences, seek guidance, adjust their approaches and continue pursuing their goals.
“You do not have to follow my path to build a meaningful life. You do not have to become a superintendent, a minister or a politician,” she emphasized.
“What matters is that you discover your abilities, prepare yourselves and pursue a future in which you can make a positive contribution.”
MENTORSHIP: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FIGURE EVERYTHING OUT ALONE
Turning to the central purpose of the summit, Supt. Gono emphasized that mentorship plays a critical role in helping girls and young women recognize their potential, make informed decisions and prepare for future opportunities.
She noted that personal development is rarely achieved entirely in isolation, as people often benefit from the guidance, encouragement, correction and experience of others.
For her, she said, her late mother was one of the most influential figures whose example shaped her understanding of education, sacrifice and determination.
She explained that effective mentorship involves more than meeting successful people or taking photographs with them. It requires a genuine willingness to learn, ask questions, accept constructive criticism and apply the lessons gained.
Supt. Gono encouraged girls with aspirations in medicine, entrepreneurship, public service and other professional fields to seek guidance from people with relevant knowledge and experience.
She stressed that mentors do not necessarily have to be famous or occupy prominent positions, noting that teachers, lecturers, professionals and trusted adults can provide valuable guidance.
She also challenged participants to make meaningful use of the opportunities available at the summit by introducing themselves to potential mentors, asking thoughtful questions, sharing their ambitions and listening carefully to advice.
According to her, a single meaningful relationship could help a young woman make better decisions and identify opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.
“A mentor can show you a door, but you must be willing to prepare yourself and walk through it,” she said.
Supt. Gono further encouraged the participants to become mentors themselves when they eventually acquire the knowledge, experience and resources to support others.
She said the true power of mentorship lies not only in the positive impact it has on an individual but also in the opportunities that person creates for others.
LEADERSHIP BEGINS BEFORE YOU RECEIVE A TITLE
Reflecting on her early leadership experiences, Supt. Gono disclosed that she served as captain of the debate and quizzing teams while attending St. Theresa’s Convent.
She said those responsibilities helped her develop confidence, discipline, preparation and communication skills that later proved valuable in her professional and public service career.
Although she may not have fully understood their importance at the time, she explained that those experiences were preparing her for greater responsibilities.
She therefore encouraged girls to recognize that leadership begins long before they receive formal titles or appointments.
According to her, leadership is demonstrated through everyday choices, including taking education seriously, respecting others, asking questions, exercising discipline and resisting negative peer pressure.
For students in college, she emphasized the importance of acquiring practical skills, developing effective communication and seeking opportunities to apply classroom knowledge.
She also encouraged young women already working, raising families or building careers to remain committed to learning, self-improvement and personal development.
Drawing from her responsibilities as Superintendent of Nimba County, Gono explained that leadership extends beyond occupying public office.
She described it as a commitment to listening to people, making difficult decisions, accepting responsibility and working to improve the lives of others.
“A title may give you authority, but your character determines how you use it,” she said.
“An appointment may open a door, but your competence determines what you can accomplish once you enter.”
Supt. Gono urged the girls to prepare themselves not merely to occupy positions of authority but to lead with competence, honesty and responsibility.
She also encouraged them to pursue their ambitions without undermining others, emphasizing that confidence should not be confused with arrogance and that personal advancement should not come at the expense of other women.
“There is room for you to succeed while helping another woman succeed beside you,” she told the participants.
YOUR STORY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE MINE
Supt. Gono emphasized that although her mother’s experiences and her own journey provided valuable lessons, the young women at the summit should not feel compelled to follow the same paths to achieve meaningful success.
She acknowledged that the participants were at different stages of life, with some still in secondary school, others pursuing college education and some already working, raising families or developing careers.
Despite their different circumstances, she said every girl and young woman has an opportunity to learn, grow and make thoughtful decisions about her future.
She cautioned against comparing personal progress with the achievements of others, urging the participants not to measure their worth by how quickly someone else succeeds.
She also encouraged them to remain open to changing direction when necessary, explaining that mistakes, disappointments and unexpected challenges are part of life’s learning process.
Supt. Gono further emphasized that success should not be measured solely by professional titles, political appointments or financial achievements.
She noted that teachers who transform the lives of their students, nurses who provide compassionate care, entrepreneurs who create employment and public servants who improve their communities all make meaningful contributions to society.
According to her, the ultimate goal should be to develop one’s abilities and use them to make a positive difference in the family, community and country.
She encouraged the participants to pursue success with a sense of purpose, reminding them that their talents and opportunities could become instruments for national development.
THREE COMMITMENTS FOR A BETTER FUTURE
In her closing remarks, Supt. Gono challenged the girls and young women to embrace three practical commitments that could help them prepare for the future.
First, she encouraged them to take responsibility for their personal development by identifying areas they needed to improve, including education, discipline, communication and practical skills.
Second, she urged them to identify mentors who could guide, challenge and help them prepare for their desired futures.
Third, she encouraged them to support other girls and young women, emphasizing that they did not have to wait until they achieved personal success before helping others.
She again reflected on the sacrifices of her late mother, Theresa Yar Gono, whose determination helped create opportunities for her children and continues to influence her understanding of leadership and generational responsibility.
Supt. Gono said her mother’s story reinforced the importance of investing in girls and creating an environment where they could access education, develop their talents, receive mentorship and pursue their ambitions responsibly.
She stressed that young women must prepare themselves not only to benefit from existing opportunities but also to create new possibilities for future generations.
“Your story does not have to be mine. But you must be willing to write your own,” she told the participants.
She encouraged them to take their education seriously, seek guidance, build strong character and prepare themselves for opportunities while remaining willing to support others along the way.
Supt. Gono also thanked the organizers of the summit for investing in the future of girls and young women and commended the mentors for sharing their knowledge and experiences.
Addressing the participants directly, she reminded them that their futures were worth preparing for, their ambitions deserved serious consideration and their contributions to Liberia mattered.
She called for a Liberia where every girl has the opportunity to discover her potential, every young woman receives the guidance needed to develop it and every generation of women creates greater possibilities for the next.
“Let us build a Liberia where every girl has the opportunity to discover her potential, every young woman has the guidance to develop it, and every generation of women opens greater possibilities for the next,” she said.
She concluded by praying for God’s blessings upon the participants, the MacDella Cooper Foundation, the summit’s organizers and the Republic of Liberia.
