Madam MacDella Cooper Visits Mt. Horeb
Warren Township Schools
Mt. Horeb grade 5 students and staff had the pleasure of welcoming Activist, Philanthropist, and Politician Madam MacDella Cooper for a visit in May. Cooper’s devotion to the well-being of the people of Liberia was a perfect example for the students on the heels of their Capstone Experience earlier in the month.
Cooper, also known by many as “Liberia’s Angel” was born in Liberia in the 1970s. Cooper spoke with the children about her experience as a happy child living on her grandparent’s farm in Monrovia, and then moving to the city with her mother, stepfather, and siblings.
In the 1990’s Liberia experienced a horrific Civil War by which Cooper and her family were deeply affected, changing their lives forever. Cooper’s firsthand account of what her life was like as a young person in a war zone was unimaginable to all who were present.
Cooper and her siblings eventually fled Liberia to Ivory Coast where they were among thousands who sought refuge. While seeking safety, Cooper began attending an English church where she met an American woman named Pam. Initially, Pam provided Cooper with necessities such as food and clothing before eventually inviting Cooper to live with her. In addition to providing food and shelter, Pam also paid for Cooper to attend school. Cooper admits to being overwhelmed with gratitude for Pam.
Cooper recalled that it was then that she made a promise to her herself, “If I ever get the opportunity to help young girls in the future, I will do it.”
In 1993 Cooper migrated to the United States, reunited with her family in Newark, NJ, and then graduated 3rd in her class from Barringer High School. “It was because of self-discipline, supportive teachers, and hard work” Cooper added, that led to my academic success and an eventual full-ride scholarship to The College of NJ where I earned a degree in Electronic Communications.”
After graduating, Cooper moved to NYC and worked in fashion, public relations, and other corporate entities. As her success grew, she always remembered the promise she made to herself as a young girl, and in time, she created the MacDella Cooper Foundation (MCF), whose mission is to EDUCATE, TRAIN, and MOTIVATE Africa’s most vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and marginalized women to become productive contributors to their nation’s economic, social and political development.
Cooper shared pictures of the students from the first school that she launched in Liberia in 2010 called MCF Academy. She described the sort of barriers that young children, mainly girls, face daily in Liberia. The Mt. Horeb students gained an understanding of how MCF Academy was a life-changing experience for the children admitted to the school. Cooper proudly shared details of MCF graduates now attending The University of Notre Dame.
Cooper is projected to open a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) school in Liberia for girls in September 2022. In addition to Cooper’s academic endeavors in Liberia, she was also a presidential candidate in the 2017 election. Cooper is passionate about the areas of affordable housing, energy, and technology and is working hard to improve her native county.
At the close of the presentation, the students were allowed to share their thoughts and ask questions. Without hesitation, hands were raised and multiple students offered to donate clothing, school supplies, and electronics. One student asked Cooper if she had ever considered writing a book about her life story. Cooper was touched by the outpouring of support from the students.
Cooper’s life story and contributions to the people of Liberia are inspiring. To learn more about Madam MacDella Cooper or to support MCF please visitmacdellacooper.org.
Cooper currently resides in Warren Township and has three children attending the Warren Township Schools.
Photo by Warren Township Schools
