African tradition has placed women down the pecking order. The presumption was and still is: women are only important when men need them (e.g., kitchen, in bed, etc.). Unfortunately, we, the men, do not find women important in particular aspects of our lives. For example, we do not see them as important in decision-making and in leadership. Therefore, they are left out when critical decisions are made. Some of us don’t support or allow our spouses to acquire quality education because we do not want them to measure arms with us even though education is vital. I can go on and on and name the disenfranchisement that women, in general, are faced with, and the list will remain endless. 
I’m a man too of course. The intent here is not to arm women against men No! The intent here is to shift the negative mentality of men against women. Can we have a paradigm shift? Can we see our women beyond the mere duties of a housekeeper? Can we include women in decision-making and in leadership? Can we put them at the forefront and celebrate them? Can we speak highly of them when they are doing good?
Are we genuinely proud of them not only being our partners but as our leaders? If the responses are not in the affirmative, then it’s not too late to make honest and intentional modifications in how we perceive women. It’s about time we change our opinions about women, and let’s allow them to grow with us and potentialize their dreams.
I recently crossed paths with a formidable woman. I am not only proud of this woman but beginning to admire the dreams and hopes she carries in her heart for suffering humanity. She came to leadership with a passionate perspective. With these words, I express my profound respect and gratitude to a human wonder, a beautiful soul who has demonstrated the aestheticism of life in all its facets. For me, she is everything that deserves to be celebrated. Greater patriotisms have no human personification than a woman who sacrificed her life for her people and the community. Greater honors and rewards hang over a dynamic and selfless woman whose goal in life is the community and the advancement of the interests of others.
The early life of Francess Sambly Clarke and where she comes from?
She was born into the union of Mr. Johnny Clarke & Mrs. Oretha Zabay Clarke, in Monrovia. Both parents came from the Southeast but from separate counties. The late Johnny Clerk, her father, comes from Juarzon, Bilibokree, the headquarters of electoral District #3, Sinoe County. It is a town, full of life and situated along the Sinoe-Zwedru Highway. Bilibokree, as it’s called, is approximately 20 miles away from the banks of the Sinoe River. The Mother, Mrs. Oretha Zabay Clarke, is from Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, located north of Sinoe. She was born as a great child and named after her father’s late mother called (Sambly). In the African culture, there is a concept that whenever a child is born, the child must be loved, care for and brought up uprightly to ensure society functions properly. It’s also obvious that the child be given a traditional name by the parents as a result of certain attributes and characteristics exhibited by the newly born baby. When she was born, she exhibited attributes similar to her father late mother who passed away long ago. And so, they have decided to name her after her late Grand mom. She was born as a great child. A child who beats tremendous odds just to survive; but she did not simply survive, she excels through the application of inner strength of spirit.
As she fights for survival, she dares to dream and aim high. She puts her faith in God and practices what she believes; she lives simply and just with honesty. She cheats no one and holds no malice against others, no matter the case. She willingly shares whatever she has, no matter how little, denying herself basic pleasures, exemplifying the notion of gratification. Francess Sambly Clarke became the poster girl of honesty, simplicity, and hard work.
She goes from one incredible opportunity to another as a child. Growing up, she came to the realization that only an enlightened men and women can fully participate in the development of society. At the tender age, she went to Sinoe in pursuit of education to refine her understanding of society and its people. Her parents raised a humble daughter who was always ready to face the thunderbolt of academia and battle cultural odds in a country divided into classes and struggles. She received her secondary education from the Sinoe Multilateral High School in 1989. This was on the heels of the fratricidal civil conflict in Liberia. Following the outbreak of the civil war, Sambly left the homeland to seek refuge in Sierra Leone, Waterloo. Waterloo is a city in the Western area of Sierra Leone and is located about twenty miles East of Freetown.
After a reasonable time in Sierra Leone, Francess Sambly Clarke returned to Liberia to join forces with her family members and friends with the view that the resolution to the Liberian crisis must begin with the Liberian people and their own efforts. Upon arrival in Monrovia, she played and fortunately won the Diversity Visa (DV), left Liberia later in 1998 and came to the United States to join her oldest brother in the State of Indiana.
The leadership role of Francess Sambly Clarke
In the State of Indiana, she was one of the founding members of Liberian Association in Indiana. (LAI), and chairperson Recruitment & Mobilization Committee. However, she later moved to Philadelphia to settle there. She became an active member of the United Sarpo Association Delaware chapter. A year later, she was elected president of the Delaware chapter (USAA), and hosted one of the successful conventions in Philadelphia, 2018. At that convention, and through the ingenuity of Francess Sambly Clarke, and members the organization was able to raise up to $75,000.
In 2021, at the convention in Florida, Francess Sambly Clarke was elected as National President of the United Sarpo Association in the Americas. I wish to make special reference to the remarkable performance of Francess Sambly Clarke, who, after a year in office, has convinced us beyond all reasonable doubts that our choice was a good one.
I would like to ask her to continue to discharge her duty with courage and conviction of her noble conscience. Her first convention, in North Dakota, 2022, was not only effectively organized, but was amazing, colorful and fully attended. Attended here is an understatement!
The convention also dealt with the problems and weaknesses of the organization and the way forward. I must pay homage to this noble president of integrity, devotion, and tolerance.
Her leadership and the progress made thus far will live on in the minds of not only those here in the United States but also those of our people back home. She came to us as a woman of peace and respect for all.
Francess, you are a woman of endless grace whose warmth cuts beyond borders and does not discriminate. You are a leader of men and women, a fusion of the best, and the brightest, a great and noble African personality, humble servant of your people and community. Madam president, let your light shine before men and women so that they may see your good works and glorify your stewardship. She recently graduated from the prestigious Gwynedd Mercy University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a feat she accomplished with style, grace, and utmost dignity.
Finally, as we continue to extol people who lead humanity in a positive direction through leadership, service, and dedication to task, Madame President you will be seated among history’s great human forces who prioritize the collective over the self, forces that unleash their talents on society and mobilize social forces to ignite transformation for the sake of a better world. People like us and everyone who believes in your visionary leadership, caring love, and soft heart will always honor and praise you for demonstrating what is possible when one serves and uses the framework of servant-style leadership to leave an indelible mark on the sands of time. Not only is our president a bold leader, but she also symbolizes the best in all of us and is thus a bright example of decency, courage, and resiliency.
Bravo Francess Sambly Clarke! Long live the USAA!
