Jewel Howard Taylor, winner of the 2008 African Woman of Distinction Award
Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor,
Bong County Senior Senator
Bong County’s Senior Senator, Jewel Howard Taylor, winner of the 2008 African Woman of Distinction Award, has dedicated it to the women of Liberia. But the lawmaker’s request to the United Nations to travel and accept her prize has been denied.
The former Liberian First Lady tells FrontPageAfrica that she refuses to hold on to the honor as an individual looking at Liberian women from all walks of life. She noted how the situation of women has changed as a result of the war, the level of poverty and inequality that exists and how there is so much more to be done. “I thought it wise to dedicate this award to all Liberian women regardless of whether you are among the 10 percent of the elite or the 90 percent of the poverty stricken women of this country,” noting that it is in appreciation of the level of work done by women across the country whether in government, civil society, a marketer or even a homemaker.
Senator Taylor stressed that this award should encourage our young girls to aspire to do great things and encourage those in desperate situations to continue to work because one day their star might break and something major could happen in their life.
She expressed surprise at receiving the first letter from the African Leadership Forum, an international organization based in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. “It brought some pride to me as a Liberian woman that someone like me in the far corner of Africa could receive such an opportunity. It’s a privilege and an honor for such a unique opportunity,” she said.
The Bong County Senator noted that at this time in the country’s history when the issue of women, women empowerment, freedom, access to opportunities, education and economic benefits are highlighted on the agenda of democratic countries and institutions including the United Nations, it means much to her especially at this period that they can recognize the work that she has done.
She noted that this award is not just because she’s Jewel Howard Taylor, but because of the level of work that she has been able to do before now, especially with the help of women. “I see it as a token for Liberian women who have been in the vanguard for peace, security and development even back in the days of the first female President of the United Nations General Assembly, late Angie Brooks Randolph. We are privileged to have a female President; so it’s a pride for me to be counted in such a number of high profile women of Liberia,” Senator Taylor said.
Though the ceremony takes place on Sunday, 15 March at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria, she will not be there in person but rather represented by her Chief of Office Staff, Darius Dillon. She was denied the opportunity to travel though she requested a waiver of the UN travel ban to enable her travel to receive the award.
Request denied
In a response to her request for permission to travel, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of UN Operations in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Lّj, in a message said, “After carefully considering your communication the Committee was unable to accede to your request. The Committee was of the view that the travel proposed does not meet the criteria described in resolution 1521 (2003) to justify an exemption from the travel ban.”
During the Committee’s re-consideration of the matter, according to the Acting Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the views were expressed that Senator Howard Taylor had not presented sufficient evidence to show that her travel falls within the relevant exemptions to the travel ban, and that the granting of this travel ban exemption would not contribute to the creation of peace, stability and democracy in Liberia as described in the travel ban exemption criteria.
However, the calm, soft spoken Senior Senator reiterated that this was a sad point because though she had won this distinguished award, the reality of her own particular situation keeps reminding her of where she is. “I keep telling people I became First lady of this nation and I worked very hard to provide benefits to those who were in desperate need. I don’t see my tenure as First Lady as someone who didn’t do anything. I’m pleased with the level of work I was able to do,” she said noting that as a result of personal choices she was denied the opportunity to travel to Nigeria to receive this award.
Senator Taylor noted that though the UN is a large and bureaucratic institution and there’s nothing that one can do about them, she begged to differ.
Senator Taylor said she got an opportunity to travel in 2003 and could have chosen different options including remaining in exile in Nigeria because she had an asylum there or go someplace else and forget about being a Liberian, but she decided that the work that she had begun in 1997 and the work of the Liberian women in creating a new Liberia was so important to her that she decided to return home and remain engaged.
‘Bracing the storm’
“Bracing the storm, negative perception and the stigma that would have accompanied my return, I did and continued to work. Through God’s wisdom and his grace, I was able to become Senior Senator of Bong County,” she said adding the citizens of the county didn’t make a mistake because they believed in the work she could continue to do for the county that she was given the chance to serve in such high position.
She said though she’s contributing to Liberia’s development, there are others who still see her as a threat. “I think that’s the saddest part of this whole award that irrespective of the positive role that I play in Liberia as an opposition leader [not opposition to Liberia], I’m a nationalist and I believe that Liberia still has a lot of opportunities and if we work together we can continue to achieve great things, I continue to remain engaged.”
The Senator recounted some of achievements as taking on the fight against corruption at all levels [county and where ever]; worked hard to bring into creation the Governance Commission, the establishment of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, worked on the Budget to make sure that moneys are put in the different areas that enhance women’s opportunities and continue to be a major player regardless of what the stigma is.
“I don’t think this will deter me. I think it will make me much more committed to this country and to the ideals,” she said.
The ceremony highlights the issues of women around the world but most especially Africa where they are so destitute. As such, Senator Taylor noted that if one woman is in a difficult situation and we can do something help and do not do it, then we all renege on our responsibilities. She believes women must be free to make choices to enhance their own opportunities; the 21st century that women find themselves; that people should not be stigmatized unjustly.
She noted that if she had done something wrong in this country, she should be charged and given her day in court so that she would have a chance to free herself. “As it is, who do I take the United Nations to?” she asked. “Once they don’t need to tell me what my charge is and give me my day in court, it’s difficult to say anything.
“I believe the UN Charter and the Bill of Rights accompany our Constitution say our people are free except you are a criminal. To be a criminal, you must be charged, taken to court, given an opportunity to really prove innocent or guilty,” Senator Taylor said, emphasizing that the UN states clearly one must not be punished because of one association and family ties.
She stressed that as they talk about these issues people will look at the injustice meted on some people in order to find a way around it.
She said though she had been denied the privilege to travel to receive the award, this doesn’t deter her; rather, she will still remain engaged and will continue to speak about those issues that enhance opportunities for women.
Sad, but not bitter
Though, she says she feel sad, she’s not bitter because it does not negate the fact that she is the 2008 winner of the African Woman of Distinction Award. Her inability to travel to receive it physically does not deter the award that’s being given to her.
She is expected to video tape her message to the program so people get to hear her voice during which time those in attendance will get a chance to know why she could not come which even highlights more the work that women must do and issues that must be raised at all levels. “As Jewel Howard Taylor, I still consider myself one of those disenfranchised but I will continue to work and support women activities in this country and on the African continent as I can from the place that I sit,” she said.
Providing a synopsis of her message at the award ceremony on the theme “Enhancing African Women Influence and Social Impact”, Mrs. Howard Taylor said that its centered around the poem by Maya Angelou entitled “I Rise” which talks about the desperate situation of women but also a poem of hope.
She said her message is one of hope. Regardless of your bitter twisted history or past, you must rise to the occasion to be a blessing even it’s just to your children that you become their first role model as they grow up. That even if people want to see you broken and torn apart, that you must not give them that chance. They should always see you trying to rise above your situation.
As women, we bring so much to the table and if we join our hearts and hands and put those petty things that divide women so easily, we can make the world a better place to live.
She stressed that in every situation or conflict, you will find that the women joined together to make a difference. In Liberia there was a group of women called the “Weeping Women” from WIPNET that stood on the field during the crisis. At one point they paid they air fares and went to Accra, Ghana and quietly sat with their banners saying
“No More War”, “We Except No More War in Liberia,” etc. and the impression that they made transformed the hearts of people that w are free today. They were the common women.
I believe across the continent we must begin such a movement to ensure that every woman is free; that no one is unduly prejudiced.
Talking about the “Testimony of the Soul of Women”, Mrs. Howard Taylor, said part of her message to the ceremony will be “that woman is a name belonging to all women; that in them, though many colors, tongues and nations; the untutored soul speaks the same language everywhere of one yearning to rise beyond their circumstances of despair and stand tall and proud; not broken and ashamed.”
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was a recipient of this award in 2006; while the current First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Turai Umar Yar’Adua received the Woman of Influence in Africa Award at the ceremony.
The former Liberian First Lady tells FrontPageAfrica that she refuses to hold on to the honor as an individual looking at Liberian women from all walks of life. She noted how the situation of women has changed as a result of the war, the level of poverty and inequality that exists and how there is so much more to be done. “I thought it wise to dedicate this award to all Liberian women regardless of whether you are among the 10 percent of the elite or the 90 percent of the poverty stricken women of this country,” noting that it is in appreciation of the level of work done by women across the country whether in government, civil society, a marketer or even a homemaker.
Senator Taylor stressed that this award should encourage our young girls to aspire to do great things and encourage those in desperate situations to continue to work because one day their star might break and something major could happen in their life.
She expressed surprise at receiving the first letter from the African Leadership Forum, an international organization based in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. “It brought some pride to me as a Liberian woman that someone like me in the far corner of Africa could receive such an opportunity. It’s a privilege and an honor for such a unique opportunity,” she said.
The Bong County Senator noted that at this time in the country’s history when the issue of women, women empowerment, freedom, access to opportunities, education and economic benefits are highlighted on the agenda of democratic countries and institutions including the United Nations, it means much to her especially at this period that they can recognize the work that she has done.
She noted that this award is not just because she’s Jewel Howard Taylor, but because of the level of work that she has been able to do before now, especially with the help of women. “I see it as a token for Liberian women who have been in the vanguard for peace, security and development even back in the days of the first female President of the United Nations General Assembly, late Angie Brooks Randolph. We are privileged to have a female President; so it’s a pride for me to be counted in such a number of high profile women of Liberia,” Senator Taylor said.
Though the ceremony takes place on Sunday, 15 March at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, Nigeria, she will not be there in person but rather represented by her Chief of Office Staff, Darius Dillon. She was denied the opportunity to travel though she requested a waiver of the UN travel ban to enable her travel to receive the award.
Request denied
In a response to her request for permission to travel, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of UN Operations in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Lّj, in a message said, “After carefully considering your communication the Committee was unable to accede to your request. The Committee was of the view that the travel proposed does not meet the criteria described in resolution 1521 (2003) to justify an exemption from the travel ban.”
During the Committee’s re-consideration of the matter, according to the Acting Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1521 (2003) concerning Liberia, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the views were expressed that Senator Howard Taylor had not presented sufficient evidence to show that her travel falls within the relevant exemptions to the travel ban, and that the granting of this travel ban exemption would not contribute to the creation of peace, stability and democracy in Liberia as described in the travel ban exemption criteria.
However, the calm, soft spoken Senior Senator reiterated that this was a sad point because though she had won this distinguished award, the reality of her own particular situation keeps reminding her of where she is. “I keep telling people I became First lady of this nation and I worked very hard to provide benefits to those who were in desperate need. I don’t see my tenure as First Lady as someone who didn’t do anything. I’m pleased with the level of work I was able to do,” she said noting that as a result of personal choices she was denied the opportunity to travel to Nigeria to receive this award.
Senator Taylor noted that though the UN is a large and bureaucratic institution and there’s nothing that one can do about them, she begged to differ.
Senator Taylor said she got an opportunity to travel in 2003 and could have chosen different options including remaining in exile in Nigeria because she had an asylum there or go someplace else and forget about being a Liberian, but she decided that the work that she had begun in 1997 and the work of the Liberian women in creating a new Liberia was so important to her that she decided to return home and remain engaged.
‘Bracing the storm’
“Bracing the storm, negative perception and the stigma that would have accompanied my return, I did and continued to work. Through God’s wisdom and his grace, I was able to become Senior Senator of Bong County,” she said adding the citizens of the county didn’t make a mistake because they believed in the work she could continue to do for the county that she was given the chance to serve in such high position.
She said though she’s contributing to Liberia’s development, there are others who still see her as a threat. “I think that’s the saddest part of this whole award that irrespective of the positive role that I play in Liberia as an opposition leader [not opposition to Liberia], I’m a nationalist and I believe that Liberia still has a lot of opportunities and if we work together we can continue to achieve great things, I continue to remain engaged.”
The Senator recounted some of achievements as taking on the fight against corruption at all levels [county and where ever]; worked hard to bring into creation the Governance Commission, the establishment of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, worked on the Budget to make sure that moneys are put in the different areas that enhance women’s opportunities and continue to be a major player regardless of what the stigma is.
“I don’t think this will deter me. I think it will make me much more committed to this country and to the ideals,” she said.
The ceremony highlights the issues of women around the world but most especially Africa where they are so destitute. As such, Senator Taylor noted that if one woman is in a difficult situation and we can do something help and do not do it, then we all renege on our responsibilities. She believes women must be free to make choices to enhance their own opportunities; the 21st century that women find themselves; that people should not be stigmatized unjustly.
She noted that if she had done something wrong in this country, she should be charged and given her day in court so that she would have a chance to free herself. “As it is, who do I take the United Nations to?” she asked. “Once they don’t need to tell me what my charge is and give me my day in court, it’s difficult to say anything.
“I believe the UN Charter and the Bill of Rights accompany our Constitution say our people are free except you are a criminal. To be a criminal, you must be charged, taken to court, given an opportunity to really prove innocent or guilty,” Senator Taylor said, emphasizing that the UN states clearly one must not be punished because of one association and family ties.
She stressed that as they talk about these issues people will look at the injustice meted on some people in order to find a way around it.
She said though she had been denied the privilege to travel to receive the award, this doesn’t deter her; rather, she will still remain engaged and will continue to speak about those issues that enhance opportunities for women.
Sad, but not bitter
Though, she says she feel sad, she’s not bitter because it does not negate the fact that she is the 2008 winner of the African Woman of Distinction Award. Her inability to travel to receive it physically does not deter the award that’s being given to her.
She is expected to video tape her message to the program so people get to hear her voice during which time those in attendance will get a chance to know why she could not come which even highlights more the work that women must do and issues that must be raised at all levels. “As Jewel Howard Taylor, I still consider myself one of those disenfranchised but I will continue to work and support women activities in this country and on the African continent as I can from the place that I sit,” she said.
Providing a synopsis of her message at the award ceremony on the theme “Enhancing African Women Influence and Social Impact”, Mrs. Howard Taylor said that its centered around the poem by Maya Angelou entitled “I Rise” which talks about the desperate situation of women but also a poem of hope.
She said her message is one of hope. Regardless of your bitter twisted history or past, you must rise to the occasion to be a blessing even it’s just to your children that you become their first role model as they grow up. That even if people want to see you broken and torn apart, that you must not give them that chance. They should always see you trying to rise above your situation.
As women, we bring so much to the table and if we join our hearts and hands and put those petty things that divide women so easily, we can make the world a better place to live.
She stressed that in every situation or conflict, you will find that the women joined together to make a difference. In Liberia there was a group of women called the “Weeping Women” from WIPNET that stood on the field during the crisis. At one point they paid they air fares and went to Accra, Ghana and quietly sat with their banners saying
“No More War”, “We Except No More War in Liberia,” etc. and the impression that they made transformed the hearts of people that w are free today. They were the common women.
I believe across the continent we must begin such a movement to ensure that every woman is free; that no one is unduly prejudiced.
Talking about the “Testimony of the Soul of Women”, Mrs. Howard Taylor, said part of her message to the ceremony will be “that woman is a name belonging to all women; that in them, though many colors, tongues and nations; the untutored soul speaks the same language everywhere of one yearning to rise beyond their circumstances of despair and stand tall and proud; not broken and ashamed.”
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was a recipient of this award in 2006; while the current First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Turai Umar Yar’Adua received the Woman of Influence in Africa Award at the ceremony.