By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Liberia Institute of “Growing” Patriotism in commemoration of the 95th birth-anniversary of Mot. Mary N. Brownell, on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, awarded to several Liberians the Judge Emma Shannon Walser Medal of Rule of Law, Good Governance, and Patriotism.
In an overview, Liberia former minister of foreign affairs, Olubanke King-Akerele provided that the Judge Emma Shannon Walser Medal of Rule of Law, Good Governance and Patriotism was established by the Liberian Institute for “Growing” Patriotism (LIGP) on 27 July 2021 in honor of Judge Walser’s 92nd birth anniversary and is annually awarded to personality(ies) who have contributed to the Promotion of Peace, National Healing, Reconciliation, and to nation-building as well as the growing and promotion of Patriotism and National Unity amongst Liberians.
The posthumous award ceremony was held at the residence of Mother Mary N. Brownell, now the home of the Forum of Liberian Women Elders; the solidarity of the Liberian Institute for ‘Growing” Patriotism that serves as an advocate and transitional referral house for women and girls who are survivors of sexual gender-based violence SGBV and provide counseling and legal support to women and girls.
Meanwhile, the 2024 posthumous award recipients include Dr. Florence Alletta Chenoweth. Chenoweth was a Liberian politician and agriculture and food security specialist. As minister of agriculture in Liberia, she was the first woman to hold such a position in Africa. She also held several senior posts with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In 1995 she joined FAO as its representative in The Gambia.
Subsequently, she opened FAO’s first office in South Africa following the end of apartheid. In 2001, she was put in charge of FAO liaison with the United Nations in New York, a post she held until 2007.
Dr. Isreal D. Nah
After he graduated from medical school, he worked for two years in Germany as a surgeon, while working he did a successful surgery on a senator from Liberia.
After the surgery the senator asked him to come back home, Dr Israel D. Nah being a patriot agreed to return to Liberia and started working at the John F Kennedy Hospital as a chief surge, at the same time taught and served as a Dean at the TNIMA and also serve as Acting Chief Medical Officer.
Dr. Ayele Ajavon-Cox
was a remarkable individual who made significant contributions in the field of dentistry and humanitarian work She was the daughter of Alma Quadayou Carter and Adolph N. Ajavon.
Dr. Ajavon-Cax was a distinguished dental surgeon and a compassionate humanitarian. Throughout her life, she demonstrated unwavering dedication to her profession and the well-being of others. Her legacy extends beyond her professional achievements; she was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and cousin.
DR. Robert Gbatlae Tikpor
The prelate was the oldest Liberian Catholic priest and one of the longest-serving. He twice served as a National Orator at official programs marking the country’s Independence Day celebration. Father Tikpor was a vocal critic of vices in Liberian society.
Dr. Hannah Adeodu Bowen-Jones Afier became the first Liberian woman to gain a Ph.D., she became a professor at the University of Liberia.
In the 1970s she was the only woman in the cabinet of William Tubman. From 198l to 1984 she was Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. During the Liberian Civil War, she moved to the United States and taught at Chicago State University
Scholastica Yvonne Gheh Doe
Former Deputy Director (General of the defunct autonomous National Bureau of Culture and the Tourism Republic of Liberia, former Assistant Minister for Tourism in the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Republic of Liberia, former Manager of Intersectoral and Focal Point at the Environmental Protection Agency, Republic of Liberia Former Gender Advisor of the UN Mission n Liberia. Ms. Doe was innovative for the betterment of Liberia She was an educator who completed many children’s.
Othello Coleman
The first Liberian to serve at the European Union.
Other recipients include are Robertha M. Fawaz, Dr. Augustus F. Tah,
Joanna Emerson, Dr. Flavius Jide Akerele, Sir Knight Sam J. Gebeh Sr.
The Liberian Institute for “Growing” Patriotism (LIGP) was established in recognition of and as a tribute to the the memory of Liberians throughout the nation, from all ethnic groups and
those of settler or emigrant origins as well as Liberia’s sung and unsung Heroes and Heroines from all walks of Life and all levels of society for their contributions over time, to nation-building and the development of “Mama” Liberia.
The Institute was launched on 12 December 2013 by Amb. Charles Minor Chair of Board of Tax Appeal on behalf of Judge Emma Shannon Walser, first female Circuit Court Judge ofMontserrado County.
The Mission of the Liberian Institute, an “action-driven”development initiative is two-fold: Foremost provide informal training and education for Growing (development and promotion) of Patriotism amongst Liberians,
The institute achieves this through a series of interventions that will enhance the knowledge of the citizenry through specific actions including training and workshops in civics and advocacy thereby creating a sense of pride in being a Liberian Secondly, to promote the upliftment of the welfare and well-being of Liberians through support to project activities (ongoing and otherwise) that contributes to the transformation of the Liberian Citizenry and the society, thereby, creating a sense of pride in being a Liberian, while contribution to national development.
