Ester Mbathera
The former first lady, Monica Geingos, last week attended the 2024 Global First Ladies Academy in New York.
At the three-day event, Geingos presented at the Legacy Workshop, where she will share insights on building a lasting legacy.
She used her One Economy Foundation to illustrate how strategic foresight can sustain first ladies’ initiatives.
One Economy Foundation was launched in 2016 to facilitate the full social and economic participation of communities to break aspects of the poverty cycle, maximise the potential of as many people as possible, and strengthen those who are already on track to become better.
Geingos also shared lessons learned as a former first lady and past president of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) with participants from 16 countries.
She highlighted the importance of first ladies spending social capital on the advancement of social issues and staying authentic to who and where they are.
Geingos emphasised the importance of strong governance frameworks and meaningful partnerships.
Geingos also received recognition for her role in co-curating the inaugural academy.
The Academy, hosted by the Global First Ladies Alliance and Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, aims to strengthen the roles of first ladies in fostering social change and global development.
While in the USA, Geingos, together with the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, also met with a Texas-based real estate and economic development strategist for countries and cities, Nigerian-born Ejike Edward Okpa.
On her social media platform, Bio explained that the meeting focused on mutual exchange and fostering possible international collaborations and investment opportunities.
Geingos and Bio also attended a picnic with Sierra Leoneans in Dallas.
“To my beautiful and loving sister, H.E. Mrs. Monica Geingos, you remain a gem to my heart and my country. You have once again proven that family isn’t only created by blood but also by our actions. Your presence at this event has cemented our relationship in the hearts of my people in North America. Thank you for always making time for me. I love and appreciate the way you love and guide me,” said Bio.
Before travelling to New York, Geingos was the guest of honour for the OAFLAD #WeAreEqual campaign in Sierra Leone in recognition of her role in conceptualising the campaign as the organisation’s past president.
“Congratulations to my dear sister, First Lady Fatima Maanda Bio, for a successful launch. It was a privilege to witness President Julius Maanda Bio launch the campaign and assent to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill. Sierra Leone’s legal and structural reforms to protect adolescent girls and women stand out as a beacon of hope in the advancement of gender equality,” she said.
