More than 250 women in Dewein District, Bomi County, graduated from a quick impact skills training program amid scenes of celebration, emotion, and renewed hope, as the Director General of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), Marilyn T. Logan, challenged them to transform their newly acquired skills into sustainable sources of income.
Serving as the special guest speaker, Director General Logan emphasized that she was attending not as a government official, but as a fellow woman who understands the challenges many Liberian women face.
Drawing from her personal experiences, she encouraged the graduates to view their vocational training as a stepping stone toward economic empowerment and self-reliance.
“The difference between the woman that succeeds and the woman that fails is not the type of school she attended; it is what she did after she left that school. Did she go back home and forget? Or did she go back home and start doing something?” Logan told the graduates.
In a gesture that stunned and energized the gathering, she announced a donation of L$1 million to support the women as they begin their entrepreneurial journeys.
“I want you to go home and start something small—and because I mean it, today I will provide one million Liberian dollars to support you to go back home and start,” she declared to a loud applause.
The training program, funded by district #3 Representative, Representative P. Jallah, equipped participants with practical skills in soap making, baking, event decoration, and other vocational trades aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing economic vulnerability among women.
Director General Logan commended Representative Jallah for investing in the empowerment of women and communities.
“This is one of the marks of a good public servant,” she said while acknowledging his support for the initiative.
Graduates pledged to put their newly acquired skills into practice by establishing small businesses, generating income, and contributing to the economic growth of their communities.
In recognition of her inspiring message and generous contribution, the women honored Director General Logan with the traditional title “Ma Kemah”, meaning “The First to Come”. The symbolic honor reflects their appreciation for a leader who not only encouraged them but also provided tangible support at a critical moment in their lives.
The ceremony ended on a high note, with graduates expressing optimism about the future and committing themselves to using their skills to achieve financial independence, support their families, and uphold their dignity.
