Activist | Philanthropist | Politician
ACTIVISM
Over the past 15 years Cooper have worked to effect change in leadership and governance in Liberia. Inasmuch as her efforts have primarily been through philanthropy and human rights, these commitments are founded on the moral imperative to effectively improve the state of social services in Liberia. Access to these services remains well below pre-civil war levels of slightly more than 1/3 of the population. And, remarkably, an even higher proportion of the country’s children survive on less than $1 a day.
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
On October 17th, 2016, Madam MacDella Cooper publicly announced her candidacy for President of Liberia in the 2017 elections. Cooper became the only FEMALE candidate running for the nation’s highest office. She emerged 7th, amongst a field that included 19 male candidates, following a brutal, hard-fought and often divisive contest, further promoting the cause and prospects for women and their empowerment in a paternalistic society. Madam Cooper ran on a five star Platform of Hope and Reform.
1. Free Education For Every Child
Educational progress in Liberia has suffered greatly over past decades. According to UNICEF, the literacy rate for boys is 63.5%, and 37.2% for girls. Adult literacy rate is 42.9% and the primary school net enrollment ratio is 41% – a significant socio-economic barrier.
Ms. Cooper’s Commitment: Improving the quality of education and fostering optimal learning conditions…