New Carolton Mayor Honors First Lady Fatima Bio

By PEL Koroma, Embassy of Sierra Leone-Washington, DC.

First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone and President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, has been honoured with a prestigious City Proclamation from the Mayor of New Carrollton, Maryland, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to humanity and global advocacy for women and girls.

The proclamation was presented by Mayor Phelecia Nembhard during a ceremony held in the United States on July 4, 2025. In her tribute, Mayor Phelecia Nembhard hailed Dr. Fatima Maada Bio for her tireless fight against gender-based violence, and her trailblazing “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign. “The Hands Off Our Girls program is a transformative movement that has become a beacon of hope for women and girls everywhere. Your leadership in promoting Pan-African progress is inspiring a generation,” the Mayor noted.

The appreciation event, dubbed the Night of Appreciation, was organized by the JMBNA Group of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and brought together dignitaries, scholars and supporters from across the U.S. and Sierra Leone. One of the evening’s keynote speakers, Columbia University Professor, Dr. Judy Kuriansky, praised the First Lady as “the most amazing and powerful woman in Sierra Leone.”

“Dr. Fatima Maada Bio is not just a First Lady. She is a fearless activist, a defender of human rights and a visionary leader,” Prof. Judy Kuriansky stated. She commended Dr. Fatima Bio’s alignment with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly her advocacy for gender equality, access to justice and her firm stance against child abuse.

Highlighting the tangible impact of Dr. Fatima Bio’s initiatives, Professor Judy Kuriansky noted the national ban on child marriage in Sierra Leone, driven by the First Lady’s Hands Off Our Girls campaign, as well as the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls and shoes to schoolboys across the country. “Her commitment to improving health services and safeguarding children’s futures is a legacy in the making,” she added.

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Amara Sowa, presented an honorary award to Dr. Fatima Bio on behalf of the JMBNA Group, praising her unwavering dedication to transforming lives both at home and abroad.

Accepting the honour, Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio expressed gratitude to the people of Sierra Leone and members of the SLPP. “This honour belongs to the mothers of our nation, to the children whose dreams we are fighting to protect, and to every Sierra Leonean striving for peace and progress,” she said.

Reaffirming her commitment to the values of the SLPP, Dr. Fatima Bio described the party as a defender of justice, education and national unity. “SLPP has always been the voice of the people; the party that stands for dignity and equality. No region is greater than the other; we are one nation with one future,” she affirmed.

In her call to action, the First Lady urged women to rise and protect their rights, reminding them of their influence and strength in everyday life. “We are the champions in the markets and in our homes. It is time to protect our bodies and our voices. Let the youths find courage and live with wisdom,” she declared.

Dr. Fatima Bio emphasized that the SLPP is a party of peace and resilience, focused on building the nation through improved education, healthcare and infrastructure. She ended her speech with heartfelt thanks to the JMBNA Group, acknowledging their generous financial support to the SLPP during the 2023 elections. “Your trust and love for the SLPP will never be forgotten. Together, we will continue to build a stronger Sierra Leone,” she concluded