Anna E. Cooper

First female dean of the University of Liberia. 

Anna Elizabeth Cooper of Liberia: A Trailblazer in Education and Empowerment

Early Life and Education

Anna Elizabeth Cooper was born in Liberia to a family deeply rooted in the values of education and service. From an early age, she displayed a keen intellect and a passion for learning, which were nurtured by her supportive family. Cooper was born in Monrovia, Liberia, into a large and influential Americo-Liberian family.[1] Her father was Jesse Randolph Cooper; her mother was Sarah Braxton Cooper Barclay; one sister was Magdalene L. Cooper Dennis, Liberia's first university trained nurse; another sister was Cecelia Adeline Cooper who married ambassador Charles D. B. King, who was Liberia's president from 1920 to 1930. Her brothers Henry R. Cooper and Charles E. Cooper were also in government.[2]

Cooper studied at the College of West Africa in Monrovia. She went to the United States in 1914, and attended Central Alabama Institute, Morgan State College,[3] and finally Howard University, where she played basketball, was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and earned a bachelor's degree in 1921.[4] She returned to the United States in 1931, earning a master's degree at Teachers College, Columbia University.[5] She also studied in London.[6]

Professional Achievements

Anna's professional journey is marked by her commitment to improving education in Liberia. She began her career as a teacher, where she quickly gained recognition for her innovative teaching methods and her ability to inspire her students. Her dedication to education did not stop in the classroom; she became a prominent advocate for educational reform, focusing on creating more opportunities for girls and underprivileged children.

One of her significant contributions was the establishment of a scholarship program that provided financial assistance to students from low-income families. This program not only enabled many students to pursue higher education but also helped to reduce the dropout rate in her community.

Cooper taught at the College of West Africa from 1922 to 1928, and then as a science professor at Liberia College from 1929 to 1931, teaching chemistry and physics.[7] In 1933, she organized the college's science department.[5] Cooper became Dean of Administration at Liberia College,[8] the first woman to be a dean at the school. She led the school's transformation into the University of Liberia in 1951.[5] She retired in 1956.[9]

She was a founder of the first overseas chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, when she and others petitioned for a chapter in Monrovia in 1954.[10][11] She was also active with the YWCA in Liberia.[8][12] In 1978, she was honored by President William Tolbert, installed as a Knight Official in the Humane Order of African Redemption.[5]