Liberia lost a matriarch last month, and we lost and dear friend.  Mother Mary Brownell was an extraordinary woman whose legacy will live on for generations.  The JD Kimber School exists because of Mother Brownell.  She is pictured here with TRO Board member Sam Clawson.

There were many articles written about her when she passed, and this one from the Daily Observer posted on March 16, 2017 honored her well.

“Mother Mary Brownell, Liberia’s preeminent civil rights and peace advocate, who played a leading role in bringing peace to Liberia following the deadly and devastating 14-year civil war, passed away on March 14, 2017.

Mother Brownell was also a venerated teacher whose discipline, drive for excellence and hard work left everlasting impressions upon her pupils, many of whom are very renowned leaders and executives in their respective areas of professionalism nationwide and globally. She has left her imprints on the hearts and minds of almost every Liberian, especially during her time in the classrooms and during the Liberian crisis when she galvanized Liberian women to face the warlords and help bring an end to the chaos that had engulfed the country.

She was a total reflection of the Biblical description of a “virtuous woman” among her friends. In her lifetime, she had a bold, forthright approach to public issues, and this was clearly evident during the Liberian crisis when she could look in the faces of faction leaders and tell them the truth—with a reminder that there is a need for peace because Liberians were dying senselessly.

She built the first ever public school in Brewerville, outside Monrovia to provide free education to children of impoverished parents.

She was one person who was very vocal against the indiscipline that had permeated Liberia—a situation probably precipitated by the civil and political crises that overwhelmed the country for close to three decades.

Mother Brownell held a versatile vantage point over the last two decades, from whence her voice of conscientious guidance and reason registered with impeccable precision, from the least to even the most powerful in the land.  She was instrumental in key processes that brought peace to Liberia, including the Accra Peace Accord and the 2005 presidential and general elections, where she served as one of the National Elections Commissioners.

Mother Brownell was a devout Christian and an active member of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia.”

Thankfully, Sonny was able to visit Mother Brownell one last time on his recent trip to Liberia.  She passed away 3 days before her 88th birthday celebration was to take place.  It was an honor to know her.

Respectfully,

Shawn