CLLR. Mameita Jabated-Sirleaf
A Liberian Mandingo woman made an historical achievement at Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law as she completed two years Master Degree Program of Law in ten months. Cllr. Mameita Jabated-Sirleaf told the audience that God, prayers, courage, determinations, motivations, and self-efficacy were the key sources behind her achievement.  Having come from an ethnic group in Liberia that is widely believed to have less interest in western form of education, the like of Cllr. Mameita Jabated-Sirleaf and host of otherLiberian Mandingo community members continue to disprove such projected beliefs.  In her graduation speech, Cllr. Sirleaf remarked that when she first applied to the Louise Arthur Crimes School of Law at the University of Liberia in the 1980s, the dean of admissions at the time who was also a lady, asked in a provocative manner as to what a Mandingo woman will do by studying law.  In response, Cllr. Sirleaf humbly told the dean of admissions that; “I want to be ready to serve my country whenever I am called to serve.”  “And I think that part of the answer to that question then, is today,” she said. Cllr. Sirleaf called on every Liberian to take education very seriously, for it will be a great asset to promoting unity and the rebuilding process of Liberia.  Women must be encouraged and supported just as the their men counterparts are supported in seeking education, she added.  She was very thankful to her husband who allowed her to move to Philadelphia from North Carolina in pursuit of her education at Temple University.  Cllr. Sirleaf attributed her educational achievements to her late father whose wish was to see her do better in school.  “Am so sorry that he is not here with us today, but I think paying homage to him is essentially important to me right this minute,” she informed the audience.  Cllr. Sirleaf called on all Liberians to live in the framework of the law and do the right things in order to keep the community safe at all time.  She encouraged Liberian-Americans about knowing the law of America and never to be afraid in seeking justice whenever their rights are violated.  The law is there for everyone and all must be protected and beneficiary of the law.