Sierra Leone’s first lady, Sia Nyama Koroma, over the weekend launched the Madelein K. Albright at the National Stadium in Freetown.
She explained that Madelein K Albright, a naturalized citizen, was born in Prague and came to the United States at age 11. Mrs Koroma further explained that Madelein K Albright stood as a model to inspire more women who advocated for more rights and recognition. The first lady maintained that she (Madelein) was described as a trailblazer for women on a global scale, adding that she also paved the way for the entry of women into positions of power. Her life, the first lady went on, had been model of “what strong and independent women are capable of achieving”. In 2005, Mrs Koroma underscored, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) established the annual Madelein K Albright Grant as a means of supporting organizations around the world that create greater roles for women in political and civic life.
Madelein K Albright was the first female United States Secretary of State and the founding vice-chairman of NDI who was elected chairman in 2001. The first lady maintained that, “the Madelein K Albright Grant is part of NDI’s win with the women global initiative, which promotes women’s political leadership worldwide as part of its commitment to promoting the equitable participation of women in politics and government”.
She disclosed that, “the 50/50 group is the first African group to win this award. The group will use the grant of $25,000 to train women all over Sierra Leone to participate in the forthcoming local council elections”.