Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the honor to introduce to you, our Guest Speaker for today who is the Honorable Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor.

 

Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor has served in many private and public capacities; key amongst which are the following:

1. President, Agricultural Cooperative Bank

2. Deputy Governor, National Bank of Liberia; now Central Bank of Liberia

3. First Lady of the republic of Liberia

4. Senior Senator of Bong County, twice

5. Currently the First female Vice President of Liberia

 

                                                 

Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor is a well learned individual with the following degrees:

 

1. Bachelor of Science in Economics,

2. Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Banking ( Honors graduate)

3. MBA in Finance (Honors graduate)

4. LLB in Law ( Honors graduate)

5. Graduate Diploma in International Relations (Honors graduate)

6. Master Class Certificate, in Business Management & Leadership          

 

 

And as a result of her impactful work both at home and abroad, has received the following Honorary Degrees:

 

1. Honorary Degree in Leadership and governance,

2. Honorary Degree in Gender Development

3. Honorary Degree in International Relations

 

Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor is a daughter of Bong County, born to the Royal Household of Kerkula Giddings of Sanoyea District; who during his tenure wrote the script to the Kpelle language. The Vice President was raised as a child on the Phebe Hospital Compound under the watchful care of her loving parents, Mr. Moses Y. Howard and Mrs. Nora Giddings-Howard., both of whom were enviable professional Health Workers who died in service to the people of Bong County and are buried at the Phebe Compound.

 

Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor is a visible and very involved stateswoman; with a vision for affordable but quality education; a transparent justice system; an improved and accessible health system; women’s economic and political participation; and an accountable public service system amongst others.

 

 

She is one of Liberia’s foremost advocates for increased and improved opportunities for women of Liberia; thus becoming a critical voice on cross-cutting issues at many frontlines in the battle to reposition Liberia for vibrancy, productivity and democratic good governance.

 

On account of her national disposition whilst she served as Senior Senator for Bong County, she was fondly called the Senator without boundaries. Whilst she represented Bong County in particular, her voice and views were national in scope. As a result of her passion and commitment for a better and more equitable Nation for all Liberians, she was often referred to as the “People’s Senator” and  in confirmation of this title,  Newsweek Magazine voted her the 2nd Most Powerful Female Politician in Liberia in 2011.

 

Honorable Chief Dr. Taylor currently serves in many capacities; is a member of many organizations and supports many philanthropic organizations; key amongst which are the following:

 

• Chair, Board of Trustees, Restoration Baptist Church, Oldest Congo Town

• Deaconess, Restoration Baptist Church, Oldest Congo Town

• Member, Bong County Bar Association

• Member, Bong County Women Association

• Member, Liberian National Red Cross

• Member, Liberian Rural Women Association

• Member, YWCA

• Member, Liberia Girls Guide Association

• Chair of the Board, African Women’s Leadership Organization

• Member, International Women’s Political Leadership Network

• Patron for Africa, Girl to Leader Initiative

• Founder and Chief Patron, The Jewel Star Fish Foundation

•  Member of African Women Leaders Network, an AU initiative

As a result of her National impact, Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor has been a recipient of many accolades, Laurels and Awards from Local, National and International Organizations, ranging from humanitarian awards to outstanding Leadership awards.  Key amongst many of them are:

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 NATIONAL AWARDS:

 

• Women Activist Award, (2016) for her role in gender advocacy and empowerment,

 

• The Nation’s highest honor as Knight Great Dame, Order of the Most Venerable Order of the Pioneers in 2005; granted to her by Former President Charles G. Taylor for her service to the Nation as the 21st First Lady of Liberia;

 

• The First Female to be given the Distinguished Traditional Title of   Venerable Chief in the National Traditional Council of Liberia in 2011.  A Chieftaincy title conferred on her by Traditional Chiefs and Elders of Bong County for her role in sponsoring the a bill which created the National Traditional Council of Liberia; and in full recognition of her exemplary Services to the traditional people.

 

 

• The Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Presidential Recognition Award for Humanitarian Services and contribution to Youth Development in Liberia from the (AAW Peace) African & American Women in 2011;

 

• The National Excellence Award for Exceptional National Service in 2011;

 

• The National Excellence Award for Philanthropy in 2009;

 

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS:

 

• The Pan African Award on Leadership Excellence & Women Empowerment, in 2016;

• Woman of the Year, 2016, West African Philanthropist Organization;

• Women Activist Award, 2016

• West Africa  Philanthropy Awards  as Woman of the Year,  2016

• 2nd Chance International Award as a Woman of Distinction 2015, New York City USA;

• (ECOWAS) ECOFEPA Good Will Ambassador, Abuja, Nigeria; 2015;

• Women Advancement Forum Award in recognition of her contribution to the Emancipation, Motivation and Advancement of Women of the World; 2014, Gambia.

• The Outstanding African Women Achievers Award,  as African Mentor and Role Model 2013, from the African Women Leadership Organization(AWLO), in Nigeria;

• An African Leadership Award, as Outstanding African Female Leader of the Year 2012 from the African Leadership Awards, in Dubai;

• 2019—listed as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women—ADVANCED MEDIA;

• 2019— Most Influential African Woman Award—African Woman Barometer;

 

Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor is a grass rooter and a strong pillar of the Christian Community; a believer in women’s empowerment, multiparty democracy, freedom of speech, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.  As a result of her more than 20 plus years of experience in both the private and public sectors; she, unlike most politicians of today, has the privilege to be able to cut across political, social and ethnic lines, and has friends and collaborators in all political establishments in Liberia.  Vice President Chief Dr. Taylor remains a strong voice for change and progress in our Nation and beyond , and an icon for Liberian and African Women.

 

Her commitment to women empowerment goes beyond the ordinary; through her establishment more than 20 years ago of the Jewel Star Fish Foundation, which continues to provide education, empowerment, mentorship and leadership to girls in Liberia, Malawi, Ghana and soon Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, is a Nationalist, a Former First Lady of the Republic of Liberia, an Eminent Citizen, a Devoted Christian, the Standard Bearer of the National Patriotic Party, the first Female Vice President of the Republic of Liberia and first Female President of the Liberian Senate, a Distinguished and Dedicated Public Servant, a Patriotic Citizen and a Positive Role Model.

 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, may I ask that you kindly rise with me, as we welcome to the podium; the Jewel of Liberia and Africa; the Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Liberia; Honorable Chief Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor.