Debo Belvis O'diaji
14 July 2006
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) family in Liberia yesterday gathered to celebrate with their Chairperson Madam Mary N. Brownell for the "Tombouctou Award" she received on June 13, 2006 in Bamako, Mali.
According to the Secretary General of the UPF-Liberia Chapter, Rev. Augustine S. Arkoi, the reception was organized by the Chapter to show recognition and celebrate the honor bestowed on our Chairperson Madam Mary Brownell by the Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS) for her contributions to the African women's peace movement.
"The reception has been purposely organized to formally appreciate the award given to the UPF Chairperson by the African women outside Liberia. It is a recognition we are all proud of as members of the UPF in particular and as Liberians in general," Rev. Arkoi said.
Rev. Arkoi used the occasion to call on young Liberians, especially the girls, to emulate the example of Madam Brownell as a role model. Several distinguished personalities, most of them UPF Executive Members and Peace Ambassadors as well as International Peace Volunteers attended the reception at the UPF Secretariat on 5th Street, Sinkor in Monrovia.
Among the dignitaries were the National Peace Council President and former Minister of Education Dr. D. Evelyn S. Kandakai, Chairman of Senate Committee on Media, Culture and Tourism Sen. John Ballout, Chairman of House Standing Committee on National Peace and Reconciliation Hon. George Wesseh Blamoh, LACE Deputy Director Mrs. Elizabeth Sele Mulbah, President of the National Teachers Association of Liberia Madam Magaret Flomo, veteran Liberian civil rights activist Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh.
In goodwill messages to Mrs. Mary Brownell, Sen. John Ballout said Mrs. Brownell's achievements have set high standards hard to achieve but she has had great impact on many, and therefore he was proud of her achievements.
Observing that good of what one does should be told when the person is alive, Hon. Wesseh Blamoh said, "if we had 10 Mary Brownells, Liberia would be far better today." He suggested that a national program be organized to specially honor Madam Brownell for her contribution to peace in Liberia.
Mrs. Elizabeth Mulbah noted that "today we can talk of peace jointly in Mano River Union because of efforts by people like Mrs. Brownell," adding that they would tell the good news to Liberians.
Madam Magaret Flomo said we do not need to wait for death to make complimentary comments, and expressed being proud of Mrs. Brownell's achievement and called her a role model.
Responding, Mrs. Brownell thanked all those who gathered to honor her, especially the organizers. She said the award she received in Bamako is not for her but for the Liberian people, especially the women.
She said if she is given chance to replay all that she did for peace in Liberia, she will do it again. Hon. Augustine Zayzay then proposed a toast and Dr. Evelyn Kandakai gave a vote of thanks to end the celebration.
FAS is a women's non-governmental organization founded in 1996 with the aim of enhancing the capacity and participation of African women in conflict prevention, management, resolution and peace-building processes, with activities focused on capacity building and advocacy aimed at enabling grassroots women's organizations to impact and participate in decision making processes at the national, regional, sub-regional and international levels.
This year 2006, FAS celebrates its 10th year of existence, and the award ceremonies were held to climax the organization's Conference on Gender, Peace and Security: Capitalizing 10 Years of Women's Experience and General Assembly in Bamako, on 12 - 15 June 2006.
Madam Brownell's letter of citation signed by the FAS Executive Director Madam Bineta Diop said "On behalf of Femmes Africa Solidarite, I would like to inform you that you have been chosen as a female pioneer to receive the Tombouctou Award in honor of your contribution to the African women's peace movement.
Madam Mary Brownell is one of the three African women who received the award in this category for "working their entire lives to promote peace and gender equality in Africa," and to have "inspired and opened doors for women around the region to become active peace ambassadors in their own countries and communities."
The other two awardees are Liberia's former Head of State and President of the Perry Centre, Madam Ruth Sando Perry, and President of Pan-African Parliament and Founder of Advocacy for Women in Africa, Madam Gertrude Mongella of Tanzania
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