20 Women Icons of Sierra Leone
A Susu-Temne Feminist who helped lead the Sierra Leone Women’s Movement
A Sherbro Princess who became the Matriarch Queen of generations of Chiefs
A Mende Revolutionary of the Amistad who fought her way back home after being enslaved during the transatlantic trade
An Entrepreneur who founded one of the longest successful business enterprises in Sierra Leone
Along with over a thousand black Americans, she helped establish Freetown in the 18th Century
She was the first female graduate of Fourah Bay College
A Pioneering female Paramount Chief
and more…
Student Version
Written for all readers, especially young people. Includes history timelines, related subject inserts, and a list of reading references for further research. Icons include Ella Koblo Gulama, Constance Cummings-John, Joy Samake, Nana Turay, and others.
Children's Version
Short bios of Icons written especially for children. Includes quiz questions at the end of each page related to each Icon. Icons include Ella Koblo Gulama, Constance Cummings-John, Joy Samake, Nana Turay, Kadija Jalloh, and others.
Queen Yema Cumba
17th Century Sherbro Queen and Matriarch of generations of Sherbro rulers
Mary Perth
She fled a plantation in Virginia and helped establish Freetown
Betsy Carew
A business guru in the early 19th Century who won major business contracts
Sarah Margru Kinson
She was the first African woman graduate of Oberlin College, Ohio
Edna Elliott-Horton
One of the first West African women to receive a Bachelor 's degree in Liberal Arts
Lati Hyde-Forster
She was the first woman graduate of Fourah Bay College
Ethel Ashwood
Her 70+ year old Bakery is still one of the most successful businesses in Sierra Leone
Constance Cummings-John
She started the Sierra Leone Women's Movement
Frances Wright
She was one of the first West African women to pass the bar and practice Law
Madam Ella Koblo-Gulama
She was the first woman Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament in Sierra Leone
Nana Turay
She led Susu women during the Sierra Leone Women's Movement
Fatmatta Jarri
She was a fierce Activist during the Sierra Leone Women's Movement
Dr. June Holst-Roness
She was the second female Mayor of Freetown
Nancy Nicholas
She was the first female Mayor of Bo and an ardent Businesswoman
Joy Samake
She was a Patron for the arts, culture, and storytelling in Sierra Leone
Jeillo Edwards
She was one of the first African Actresses on British Television
Ramatu Fofanah
Her courage to take a stand inspired a movement in her community
Stella Jawara
She was one of the first Television Broadcasters in Sierra Leone
Haja Posseh Njai
She championed Social Development for women across Sierra Leone
Kadija Jalloh
She led a youth movement and followed her passion to rebuild a generation
