March-April, 1953
THE FEDERATION JOURNAL
Page 5
A STATEMENT ON THE
Continued from Page 1
suffrage to the women of Liberia. This
recommendation, however, had to go
through the protracted process of law. It
took its origin in the House of Represen
tatives and was House’s Original No. 1 of
the fourth session of the fortieth legisla
ture entitled “A Declaratory Act on the
amendment of the Constitution.” Said act
was approved by President Tuban Decem
ber 11, 1945, and was adopted at the call
election held on the 7th day of May, 1946.
The ballot boxes had to remain sealed un
til the Legislature was convened in Octo
ber, 1946 for checking of ballots and de
claring the Constitution amended, grant
ing suffrage to the women of Liberia at
the age of twenty-one years and owning
real estate (property) on the same equal
basis as men. The women of Liberia had
the right to vote on May 6, 1957, the
women voted for the first time at the
Quadrennial Election. This, however, was
restricted suffrage as constitutional in-
cohibitions debarred them from holding
elective positions.
In January, 1951 the women requested
the removal of all such inhibitions. The
national legislature upon the recom
mendation of the president passed an
other “Declaratory Act” for the amend
ment of the Constitution, removing all in
hibitions. Said act received executive ap
proval which was adopted at the general
election of May 1, 1951. This was the first
general election in which the women of
Liberia voted with the privilege of casting
Iheir vote removing all inhibitions, there
by making them first class citizens.
At the extraordinary sessions of the
legislature August, 1951, the final act in
this drama was performed when the bal
lots had been counted by the legislature
and a “Declaratory Act” passed declaring
the constitution amended, removing all
inhibitions and restrictions. Now the wom
en of Liberia are enjoying equal political
rights and unrestricted suffrage. For the
political emancipation of the Liberian
women their gratitude, praise, and ap
preciation flow out to the wise statesman
ship of President William V. S. Tubman
and the present administration.
The jury statute was revised by legisla
ture enactment entitled “Act to Amend
Sections 357, 358, and 359 of the Revised
Statute of Liberia, with reference to the
qualification of jui’ors of the Republic of
Liberia” was passed and approved January
12, 1949. This act gave the women full
right to serve on jury (both grand and
petty) and as failiffs of courts, which
rights they are now enjoying.
This credit goes to the Liberian Women’s
Social and Political Movement for its
activities in this direction.
According to the now existing law, a
married woman has no choice of na
tionality. She takes the nationality of her
husband. She cannot obtain a passport to
travel in foreign parts except with the full
consent of her husband. She cannot sue or
be sued in civil actions directly. All such
actions must be directed by or through
her husband unless she is declared Feme-
Sole, and such cases must be appertain
ing to her business. She has the right to
enter action for divorce and obtain same.
She has the right to sue for alimony and
alimony pendete-lite.
She is not the custodian of her chil
dren in case of separation and/or divorce.
The father is the legal custodian of the
child except if the mother can prove the
father’s inability or unfitness to be trust
ed with the child’s career. She is directly
responsible for all her criminal acts. Wom
en have full recognition before the law.
The Liberian women have the right to
own property (real estate in fee simple
and to dispose of same at their own will
without interference by the husband. The
husband has no title right to his wife’s
real estate (property) during her life
time nor after death unless she bequeaths
same by will to him. Married women are
entitled to one third of their husband’s
real estate. They have the right of free
speech and free ballot as men.
Religiously the Liberian women have
freedom and the right to worship accord
ing to the dictates of their own consci
ences. They are very active in church
work and are holding prominent posi
tions although some religious faiths debar
her from ascending the pulpit.
Economically the Liberian women on
the whole still find it difficult with a few
exceptions. This is due primarily to the
lack of factories, industries, and the limit
ed avenues of livelihood. When they are
qualified there is no discrimination in
wages and hours of work because of their
sex. Today Liberian women are holding
and filling high positions of trust and re
sponsibility in Government such as Un
dersecretary of Public Instruction, Assist
ant Secretary of War, Secretary of the
Liberian Senate, Steno-Typist of House
of Representatives, Office Manager of Ex
ecutive Mansion, Assistant Secretary to
the President of Liberia, Steno-Typist of
Executive Mansion, Chief of the Bureau
of Archives, Statement Department, Clerks
of the Supreme Court, Vice-Consuls, Sec
retaries and Clerks in the Foreign Serv
ice, Chief Clerk of Department of Public
Works and Utilities, Hostesses and Steno-
Typists in all departments of Govern
ment as well as serving in the Police
Force, and as Mayor of a city. Common
Council Women, Paramount and Clan
Chiefs. They serve on Delegations to In
ternational Conferences. Several women
are engaging in private business enter
prises. Some women are operating their
own farms. Educationally the Liberian
women can boast of the Dean of the Uni
versity of IJberia, Professors and Tutors
of the University of Liberia, of one Law
yer, one Dentist, one well-trained and
qualified Laboratory Technician, one
qualified Agriculturist who has recently
graduated from Hampton Institute, Vir
ginia, U. S. A., with degree of Bachelor of
Science. ’Tire Administrative Assistant of
the College of West Africa, Superinten
dents of Nurses of Hospitals and many
trained nurses are women. In the teach
ing profession the women of Liberia have
always filled the position as teachers for
more than 95 years with credit and are
still active in this field. As office workers
they are taking their place alongside the
men with much satisfaction. In the home
they are ideal mothers and wives. The
bulwark of the home, the dynamo to their
husbands and as a torch light of learning
to the less fortunate. They are kind and
congenial hostesses.
The women of Liberia have measui'ed
up to their former limited opportunities.
Now that the opportunities are unlimited
and all hinderances removed, it is most
pleasing and encouraging to see the rapid
strides being made in this direction. They
are now qualified themselves on all lines
and in various professions and trades at
home and abroad.
In 1952, a woman was appointed consul
to Treetown, Sirra Leone.
Socially the Liberian women are social
beings and equally civil-minded and to
these ends they have grouped themselves
in organizations for their improvement of
a better life and a better world in which
to live. Nationally the Liberian woman is
first a citizen in thought and then a wom
an as an individual. This virtue dates
back to the Colonial days. She is aware
of the great responsibility of raising the
standard of her unlettered and uncivilized
sisters that they may be able to appreciate
and enjoy all the rights and privileges
which by law and nature are theirs. There
is still a long way to go and much yet to
be done. However, there is a wide
awakening of women working towards
the maximum growth and total develop
ment of their sex. Considering the depths
from which she has arisen there is great
satisfaction, thanks and praise to Almighty
God, for the progress thus far. With stead
fast hope and thust in the Father of Na
tions, the Women of Liberia will climb
the ladder round by round, lifting as she
climbs until the summit is reached.
Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-
anchor of your liberties; write its pre
cepts in your hearts, and practice them in
your lives. To the influence of this book
we are indebted for all the progress made
in tnre civilization, and to this we must
look as our guide to the future. “Right
eousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a
reproach to any people. —U. S. Grant.
The whole hope of human progress is
suspended on the ever-growing influence
of the Bible. —William H. Seward.