Mary Antoinette Brown-Sherman, former President of the University of Liberia, has died. Mary Antoinette was a woman of incredible courage. She was President of the University at a time of great upheaval -- the coup by Samuel Doe in which President Tolbert was killed. We are expecting 700 people, including many Liberian educators, for the funeral at our church on Saturday. Former UL President Dies UL Opens Book of Condolence for 'Ma Mary' Dr. Mary Antoinette Brown Sherman
I am grieved to hear this, Oxpecker. I do indeed remember her courage and wisdom in what I dearly wish could be called the "bad old days" for Liberia, but which merit only being called the "just you wait days", thanks to an unexampled parade of thugs (and the degree mill operators who helped to fund them). After the ceremonial crap and blather which have recently been tossed about with gleeful abandon in memory of folks who never risked a damn thing, give the lady a good send-off. Requiescat in pace.
Thanks, Janko. Well it's all over. Fortunately we had nice weather, because people overflowed onto the lawn and pavement outside. Cars were parked for a mile or more down King's Highway. I had hoped to ask some of our visitors about St. Regis. But this was not the time. I see that St. Regis has a note of condolences on its web site. Mary Antoinette's obituary from our local paper: DR. MARY ANTOINETTE BROWN SHERMAN
A few more words on this before I leave it behind: There were 300 tributes to Mary Antoinette. One reminiscence relevant to this forum was about events while she was President of the University of Liberia after Samuel Doe took over. Doe sent a messenger (actually the Dean of the Episcopal cathedral in Monrovia) to Mary Antoinette asking that he be awarded a degree by the University of Liberia, as would befit a man in his new position. Mary Antoinette refused. Doe then sent the Dean back saying that she should award Doe the degree or face death. Mary Antoinette again refused, stating that some things were worth dying for. (She was later to become a political prisoner, and was subsequently expelled from Liberia.) None of us here can claim anything close to this level of commitment in the fight for academic integrity. I hope the University of Liberia is able to maintain its integrity in the current difficult times. The University of Liberia Alumni Choir sang yesterday -- they sang the University song and the Liberian national anthem. Both were more than moving. The words of the national anthem are particularly striking in view of Liberia's recent history: "Long live Liberia, happy land! A home of glorious liberty by God's command ..." People from the Liberian Studies Association, including its chair, were present yesterday. This morning, some of the congregation commented on how committed they evidently are to reconstruction of the educational system in post-war Liberia. Incidentally, by Proclamation of the Governor, yesterday was Mary Antoinette Hope Brown Sherman day in New Jersey! Sei gbi kamba wa ta mu!
Now you made me cry. I used to know the anthem by heart. My God, there were giants in the earth in those days...