Monrovia, Liberia – The President of the African Methodist Episcopal University, Officials of Government here present, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and most importantly, the future of Liberia—our bright and aspiring graduates of the class of 2024, Members of the Press, distinguished ladies and gentlemen.
Before I dive into the wisdom I wish to share today, let me start with something lighter. You know, they say that wisdom comes with age. Well, if that’s true, having gone back to school in my seventies, I just might be the wisest person in this hall!
Today, I am honored to share this momentous occasion with you. As we gather to celebrate your remarkable achievements, it fills me with immense pride and joy to address you at this transformative juncture in your lives and the life of our nation.
In the glow of your youthful enthusiasm, I see the future of Liberia shining brightly—a future that you will shape with the resilience, knowledge, and values that you carry forward from this day. As your First Lady, and more so, as a fellow citizen who has walked through many seasons of change, I am here not only to congratulate you but to impart lessons drawn from the depths of personal trials and triumphs.
Today, I will share three fundamental lessons that have guided me from my modest beginnings in a small village—Jawajeh Varney Boohn in Bomi County to standing before you on this grand stage. These lessons are the essence of my journey, woven through the fabric of my life and offered today as an experience of wisdom for your own paths
Lesson number One: Defying Obstacles Through Resilience
My first lesson for you is on resilience. You might look at me today and see the First Lady of Liberia, but the road here was filled with challenges that tested every fiber of my being. My journey started in a tiny village in Bomi County, where poverty was not just a word, but a daily reality. Education, a distant dream for many, was a beacon I relentlessly pursued despite all odds.
Imagine a young girl, the dusty roads under her feet as she walked miles every day just to reach a classroom. This was my reality. Starting to read at age 10 wasn’t just late; it was a symbol of the hurdles I faced coming from a place where many girls never even made it to a classroom. Yet, here I stood, determined that my story would not end there. My legs grew tired, but my spirit never did. And when the journey to school became too much to bear, leaving my village for Monrovia was not a choice—it was a necessity for survival, for a chance at a different life.
This transition was no small feat. It meant leaving behind everything familiar to enter a world that was utterly alien. I was not just transitioning geographically but socially and culturally. The bright city lights of Monrovia were dazzling but daunting. Yet, it was here that my journey took a critical turn. The challenges of adapting to city life, mastering a new language of instruction, and keeping up with peers who had had a head start in education could have deterred me. But remember what Maya Angelou said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
So, to every graduate sitting before me today, know this: if a village girl from Jawajeh Varney Boohn , who started reading at age 10 and walked miles to school, can stand before you as the First Lady of Liberia, then there is no ceiling to what you can achieve. My past did not define me; it refined me. It taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring hard times, but about transforming them into stepping stones for success.
Your journey might be tough, your goals are lofty, and your resources limited, but let my story remind you that resilience can pave the path to unimaginable achievements. Embrace your challenges, for they will forge you into individuals of unmatched strength and character. If I—Yarta Kartumu from Jawajeh Varney Boohn can defy the odds, so can you, each and every one of you. Let’s carry forward this spirit of resilience, for in it lies the power to change not only our own destinies but the destiny of our nation.
Not only do I passonto you the Lesson to Defy Obstacles through resilence, May I submit to you—
Lesson number Two: The Transformative Power of Education
My second lesson revolves around the transformative power of education. From the humble beginnings of a village in Liberia to the halls of the University of Liberia and later on in life the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, my educational journey has been nothing short of a revolution within myself. Remember, I arrived in Monrovia with little more than the Gola dialect on my tongue and a fierce determination in my heart. It was education that reshaped my world, broadened my perspectives, and gave me the tools to bridge the vast divide between my past and my potential.
Let me tell you, education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it is about changing your entire world. At the Lott Carey Mission School, every new concept I mastered was a victory, and each book I completed was a step out of my past limitations. Later, at the University of Liberia, I not only gained knowledge but also met my life partner, my boo, my darling boy, and the love of my life, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr, the 26th President of the Republic of Liberia—showing how education intertwines our personal and professional destinies in unexpected ways.
But I didn’t stop there. Decades later, at the age of over 70, I returned to academia to pursue another bachelor’s degree. It was challenging. Imagine sitting in a classroom with students who could be your grandchildren! Yet, I persevered and excelled, graduating with honors. This was not just an achievement; it was a statement—that learning has no age, no limits, and no boundaries. Malala from Paskastine wisely said, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” I am living proof that anyone who desires to learn and grow should never fade.
So to each of you poised on the brink of new beginnings, know this: if a village girl turned First Lady can excel in the classroom in her seventies, then you too can achieve greatness in whatever academic or professional pursuits you choose. Let education be your lifelong companion. Harness it, and allow it to propel you forward, not just in your careers, but in becoming catalysts for positive change in our society.
Embrace the challenges of learning, push the boundaries of what you think is possible, and let education empower you to not only meet the world but to change it. Remember, the sky is not the limit; it is just the beginning of what you can achieve with the power of education.
Lesson number Three: Foundations of Family and Faith
Finally, my third and deepest lesson to you today is about the indispensable pillars of family and faith. For 52 years, I have walked alongside my husband (not infront of him nor behind him but beside him), through moments both challenging and triumphant. From the very first day we met, I knew destiny had unveiled its plan, but maintaining our bond required more than fate; it demanded love, humility, respect, and relentless support. Desmond Tutu once said, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” Indeed, nurturing this gift has been my lifelong commitment.
Family and faith have not just been parts of my life; they have been my life’s foundation. These are the forces that have kept me grounded and given me strength. In the quiet moments of prayer, I learned early on the power of prayer; praying my husband into significant roles, from a ministerial position to the Vice Presidency, and ultimately to the highest office in the land. Like Mother Teresa once said, “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” My faith has taught me that with God, all things are possible, a belief that has powered my journey and my service to this nation.
In those times when the road seemed impassable when the whispers of doubt tried to drown out the voice of faith, I remembered Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This scripture was not just a comfort; it was a call to action—a reminder that my work, our work, does not rest solely in our hands but is part of a greater plan guided by divine grace.
And so, dear graduates—(Please stand), as you stand on the threshold of what comes next, remember that Liberia is counting on you. Our nation’s future, its prosperity, and its moral compass are in your hands. You are the new generation of leaders, thinkers, and builders who will shape our country’s destiny. If I, a village girl who once walked miles to school, can stand before you as the First Lady, imagine what you can achieve for our nation with the education, opportunities, and resources you have been blessed with in this technological age.
Take this mantle of responsibility not as a burden, but as an honor—the honor to serve, to lead, and to uplift. Carry forward the lessons of resilience, education, family, and faith. Let them guide you as you strive to make your mark in the world. Be bold in your pursuits, steadfast in your values, and persistent in your dedication to our beloved country.
Remember, every challenge you face is a stepping stone to greatness, every lesson learned is a tool for the future, and every act of kindness and integrity is a building block for a stronger Liberia. Go forth with courage, with honor, and with the assurance that you too can do it, no matter the obstacles.
May God bless you, and may He continue to bless the Republic of Liberia as we look to you, the graduates of today, to be the leaders of tomorrow who will Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia.
Thank you!!
