The Liberian Institute for “Growing” Patriotism (LIGP) has honored the founder of the Alfred and Collinette Raynes Everybody Served Community Clinic in Millburgs with the Judge Emma Shannon Walser Medal for Rule of Law; Good Governance and Patriotism.
LIGP is an institution established to recognize Liberians who are diligently serving their country and pay tribute to the memory of Liberians who have contributed to nation building and the development of “Mama” Liberia.
The award, which was presented on Thursday, March 10, 2022, to Joyce Kumbah Raynes Ogunti (living recipient) and other prominent women of Liberia at the AMEU Graduate School on Camp Johnson Road, is named in honor and memory of Liberia’s first female Circuit Court Judge for Montserrado County, Judge Walser.
Judge Emma Shannon Walser died in Switzerland on May 28, 2021 and followed by a memorial service held in Liberia on June 9th, 2021.
In a well-attended event, the Board Chair of the Liberian Institute for “Growing” Patriotism Madam Olubanke King Akerele told the honorees, families and sympathizers that the over-riding consideration for the establishment of the medal is the need to give recognition to or are contributing to “Nation-building” through patriotism in one form or another.
Madam Akerele, who spoke prior to the presentation of the medal said, “This is to encourage the “Growing” of patriotism amongst Liberians as there is a tendency amongst our people to be unappreciative and show little recognition of those who have contributed and are contributing to Nation-building—especially to what at bottom line is nothing short of renewal of the soul of “Mama” Liberia.
According to her, their individual works and achievements speak to this while Sister Mary Laurene’s brief on “Growing” patriotism captures the essence of what is meant by “Growing” (development and promotion) of patriotism.
For her part, Madam Ogunti, who received the award with humility, thanked the Executive Director and Board Chair of the LIGP for the honor bestowed upon her and the ACRES health facility in Millburgs, lower Montseraado County.
“Fellow honorees, for and on behalf of the sheroes, Madam Suakoko, Lango Lippay, Susan Lewis, Angie Brooks Randolph and the many quiet movers and shakers without whom most of us would not be here, I proudly accept this award in honor of Liberia’s first woman Judge, Emma Shannon Walser,” she said.
According to her, when she was informed that her name was presented by Sister Mary Laurene Brown, her mentor, she felt especially honored to be recognized in society as someone who is providing free medical care for people in Millsburgs.
Madam Ogunti, who is a registered Emergency Room Nurse at one of America’s biggest hospitals, vowed as living recipients of the Judge Emma Shannon Walser award, to always visit Liberia at least once in a year to help in her area of expertise.
“As my husband’s high school teacher at St. Patrick’s High School, Sister Mary Laurene has kept up with progress over 50 years and she remains a source of comfort to us particularly as we navigate the current Liberian landscape as it pertains to operating ACRES in Millburgs, my birthplace. While many are hearing about our project promise to visit, sister Mary Laurene, without promising, simply informed us after a surprise visit, that she had done so. She even recommended us for government assistance many years ago, the fulfilment of which is still pending although all requirements from us have been met,” she said.
The honoree told the gathering that as a free-outpatient facility, ACRES serves all, from triage to medication, having just served over 87,000 patients since opening its doors eight years ago.
However, Madam Ogunti, used the occasion to appreciate ACRES staff, Morgan Park Pentecostal Church, John H. Stoger Jr., Hospital of Cook County, family of the University of Chicago Hospitals, family and friends for the level of support given to her for the award.
The establishment of the facility, she said, was in fulfillment of her parent’s request that should make its life never forgotten to help the people in Millsburgs.
Meanwhile, others awarded were Dr. Chris Hena, Rose Mendscole Sherman, Musu Thompson, Amelia Ward, Trypetus Padmore (RL), Brenda Brewer Moore, Mother Esther During and Madam Theresa Leigh Sherman, respectively.
