Jewel Howard-Taylor: An African Amazon Celebrates at 62

By Eric Elezuo

Most Aftrican women qualify for unending celebration at every stage of their existence. They have written their names in gold, traversed barriers to stand out among a comity of achievers. Among such women is West Africa’s first female Vice President, Mrs. Jewel Howard-Taylor, who just clock 62 years.

An African of no mean ability, whose interest in the unity if the West African sub-region has remained one of her strongest point strengths as African politics and development continue to thrive. Her excellent performance has seen to emergence of another female Vice President in the region.

Born Jewel Cianeh Howard on January 17, 1963, the amiable politician of Liberian descent has practically done everything well, including being married to former warlord and president, Charles Taylor from 1997 to 2006 during which time, she showcased herself as most sought after Firstlady of the country, and in the West African sub-region.

Often revered as a Chief, Mrs Howard-Taylor is a proud daughter of Bong County, and born to the Royal Household of Kerkula Giddings of Sanoyea District. She was raised as a child on the Phebe Hospital Compound under the watch 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.

Undeterred in her quest to be the best she can be, the 30th vice president of Liberia, who served from 2018 to 2024, Mrs Howard-Taylor has had an enviable political trajectory. In 2005, she was elected to the Senate of Liberia for Bong County as a member of the National Patriotic Party, and was Chair of the Senate Health and Social Welfare Committee on Gender, Women and Children

During the presidency of her husband, she held several official posts in the Liberian government, including Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Liberia (forerunner to the current Central Bank of Liberia), President of the Agriculture Cooperative and Development Bank (ACDB) and Mortgage Financing Underwriter of the First Union National Bank. In addition, she focused on educational, health, and social projects. These are positions she merited by qualification, dint of hard work and her goal-getting abilities other than privilege.

A strong grass root strategist, Jewel has either served or currently serving in different high profile capacities, including

• Chairperson, Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia
• Chairperson, Education and Public Administration,
• Co-Chairpersonon Planning & Development Committee;
• Memberof the Joint Legislative Modernization Committee;
• Member,  Committee on Judiciary;
• Member, Committee on Autonomous Commissions;
• Member, Committee on Defense, Intelligence, Security, Veteran Affairs;
• Member, Committee on Internal Affairs, Good Governance & Reconciliation;
• Member, Committee on Gender, Health, Social Welfare, Women & Children’s Affairs

She has also held or is holding Memberships in many 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
• Vice President, Board of Trustees, University of Liberia
• Liberia’s Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS
• Member, Liberian National Red Cross
• Member, Liberian Rural Women Association
• Member, YWCA
• Member, Liberia Girls Guide Association
• Member, Greater Monrovia Lions Club of Liberia

Mrs Howard-Taylor has also been a recipient of many accolades, Laurels and Awards from Local, National and International Organizations, ranging from humanitarian awards to outstanding Leadership awards.

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 21^st 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 people of Bong, yea Liberia;
• 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;
• Senator of the Year, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 from various organizations;
• The National Excellence Award for National Service in 2011;
• The National Excellence Award for Philanthropy in 2009;

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS:

• The Pan African Award on Leadership Excellence & Women Empowerment, an Humanitarian Award 2016;
• Woman of the Year, 2016, West African Philanthropist Organization;
• Women Activist Award, 2016
• West Africa  Philanthropy Awards  as Woman of the Year,  2016
• 2^nd 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 Award, in Dubai;
• An Excellence Award in Recognition of her Advocacy for the Rights and Empowerment of women from the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) in 2012, in Nigeria

At 62, Mrs Howard-Taylor is far from spent. She is as agile as ever; as passionate to render humanitarian assistance as ever and as rearing to deliver projects as ever. She is the stock required for a formidable and true African Renaissance, and is poised to take the continent to the next level.

Additional information: The Executive Mansion