The Significance of the Liberian Flag
By Mameita Jabateh-Sirleaf

As we celebrate the 161 anniversary of the unfurling of the Liberian flag, let us remind ourselves of the pivotal role Liberian women played and continue to play in our history. For example: The late Angie Brooks Randolph, the first Liberian and first female president of the United Nation General Assembly, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first female Finance Minister and the first female elected president of Liberia and in Africa, Ruth Sando Perry, the first female Head of State of Liberia, Gloria Musu Scott, the first female Justice Minister and Chief Justice of Liberia, Mameita Jabateh-Sirleaf, the first female Mandingo Lawyer of Liberia to have graduated from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and first female Mandingo cabinet minister (Ministry Planning and Economic Affairs), and many others.

The Liberian flag was made by seven Liberians ladies headed by Susannah Lewis. The founders of the first African Republic (Liberia) unfurled the new flag for the new Republic on August 24, 1847 made by these illustrious women. We celebrate August 24th of each year ever since as FLAG DAY.

The Liberian flag bears close resemblance to the flag of the United States of America. This shows the ex-American slave origins of the United States. The Liberian flag has similar red and white stripes to the United States Flag as well as the dark blue square with a white star in the upper left corner. The United States (US) Flag has fifty (50) stars that represent the 50 states of the United States as compares to one star in the Liberian Flag. The US Flag has thirteen (13) stripes that represent the thirteen original states of the US. The Liberian Flag has eleven (11) stripes. These eleven stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of independence. These eleven signatories were the eleven individuals elected to the constitution convention of 1847. The red and white stripes in the US Flag symbolize courage and moral excellence respectively. The red in the Liberian Flag represents the blood that was shed in the struggle for the land. The white represents purity of hearts and moral excellence of the founding of Liberia. The dark blue field in the canton represents the dark continent of Africa (At the time). In this dark blue field is a single white star that represents the country Liberia not only as the first African Republic but also as the only African Republic at the time. Contribution of this significance was made by the women of Liberia. So, it is befitting that we take time off our busy schedules and reflect on the many contributions the women of Liberia have made and continue to do for our beloved Liberia in particular and Africa and the World at large.

Bravo to the women of Liberia and HAPPY FLAG DAY