MOMROVIA, Liberia – The secretary general of the lead political group for the campaign of former Vice President Joseph Boakai, during the country’s most recent presidential elections, (Moncio) Robert Wilmot Kpadeh, has memorialized the fallen Montserrado Senator Gederaldine Doe-Sheriff, indicating that the lawmaker, though dead, lives on, according to what he calls ‘Revolutionization theology’.
The secretary general of the Movement for the support of Boakai (NAMBO), Kpadeh, in a tribute distributed to media outlets, bids the fallen senator farewell on what he terms s her triumphant journey on to her next mission, describing the once tough-talking lawmaker as a martyr who would be honorably etched in the pages of Liberia’s political history.
Following a protracted battle against cancer, Doe-Sheriff lost the fight to the deadly disease on Saturday, at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in the Ghanaian capital Accra.
See below for full text of Kpadeh’s tribute.
Adieu, Adieu Comrade Doe-Sheriff…
A Eulogy In Honour of Fallen Comrade Sister Geraldine Doe-Sheriff
By: (Moncio) Robert W. Kpadeh
In ‘Revolutionization theology’, it is an established held belief that martyrs don’t die, they journey to another domicile to embark on a fresh mission, upon the marching orders of the supreme deity(GOD), the one in whose hands lies our fate.
So is the case with Comrade Soldier Sister Doe-Sheriff, a martyr who would be honorably etched in the pages of Liberia’s political history. She has not died; she has transitioned to another place to embark on yet another mission commissioned by the King of all kings.
So, as she triumphantly journeys on to her next mission, we say Adieu, Adieu Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff.
Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff proudly leaves behind indelible prints. She was a politician with grandiose characteristics, a gallant soldier with unmatched valor and an amazing woman of undiminishing pride and dignity.
She was enviably imbued with lofty human talents, and she used them judiciously. Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff was a woman of profound temerity, who defied all the excesses of Gender discrimination in Liberia and resiliently accentuated to the apex of politics—courageously rising on par with male counterparts.
In the 1980s, she was celebrated nationwide as Liberia’s “Lady Zico” for her incredible and thrilling skills on the female soccer pitch, which propelled her into stardom at a tender age. Unfortunately, the brutal Liberian civil war would shatter her colorful and prosperous soccer career but yet wouldn’t conceal her impressive and relishing record of grabbing a plethora of fabulous awards including a string of MVPs—despite a short-lived soccer expedition.
Fast forward, by the 2000s, she became a popular grassroots politician who was conveyed to the national stage by what is now the ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC). She rose through the ranks and files of the CDC and would later assume its coveted Chairmanship. Arguably, she was the most powerful woman in the echelon of opposition CDC.
Political observers badged her Chairmanship as the best ever in the history of the CDC—postulating that she actually led efforts in establishing and popularizing the CDC across Liberia, but when she relinquished membership in the party a few years ago, apologists of the CDC intimated on radio talk-shows that she was of “no good” to the party. However, she was hugely admired by partisans of the CDC for her grassroots style of politicking, which emphasized the relevance and dignity of the commoners within the party membership.
But beyond the parameters of the CDC, Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff was hugely admired by almost the entire nation. She won the Montserrado Senatorial Seat with an overwhelming majority—drawing massive support from across party lines, and from every demographic within the Liberian population.
Some embraced her as a politician with an illuminating spirit, and for others, she was a true African woman who was deeply regimented into the intriguing traits of the rich African cultural tradition. She was courteous, welcoming and unassuming. In the women community, she meant hope and inspiration, most especially for downtrodden Liberian women.
Indeed, Comrade Sister-Doe Sheriff was a pragmatic woman. She was extremely gorgeous too. Her beauty was electrifying, imposing and magnetic—even strangers would quickly cleave onto her. I witnessed this instinct of hers when we traversed the counties together during the 2017 elections. Everywhere we visited and every stop we made, she was greeted with smiles and benevolence from people we met and interacted with.
If you ever encounter Comrade Doe-Sheriff at political rallies, you would definitely depart those rallies feeling politically excited and refreshed. Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff had the natural talents and very well knew how to apply them to charm her audience. I and other colleagues were often mesmerized by her magnificent style. Wow, she would chant powerful political battle cries and slogans in the local Liberian parlance and vernaculars for about twenty minutes to stimulate the rally…and when the crowd was sufficiently mobilized, she would then open the rally with a resounding and eloquent speech. She was the queen of the stage! I later deduced that the stage was therapy for Comrade Doe-Sheriff. Her mastery of the stage was terrific and unmatched! Her freestyle dances would rock the crowd in a massive way.
She was a natural orator. She knew what to tell her audience and how to convey her message to the minds and souls of her audience. It was a privilege to campaign alongside Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff in the much heralded 2017 election. She was Campaign Chair for Montserrado County and became a central figure in the JNB/Unity Party campaign. Her contribution was monumental and shall remain engraved in our hearts for our lifetime.
She was a champion and defender of women’s rights. In the Liberian Senate, she was vociferous in advancing counter propositions against structural violence and abuse perpetrated against Liberia women and girls.
In the hallowed chambers of the Liberian Senate, her roaring voice pitched off the roof, as she eloquently and persuasively landed home her motions on critical national debates and policy decisions.
‘Silence’ was never in her DNA; she remained loudly loquacious on hammering fundamental debates surrounding the effective and efficient governance of the country. She was energetically engaged with her statutory duties as a Senator—until the prowling and perilous scourge of cancer waged its dreadful war on her.
Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff, I believe, executed her mission to the best of her ability. She was a gracious family woman, a distinguished Public servant, a patriot, a benefactor of the needy, and particularly, a woman of humility and simplicity.
Like all human beings, she was not faultless. Trials, tribulations, mistakes, and the filth of life, she had her shear, but yet she was a woman with a large heart who blazed the trail in no small way.
She made surreal and difficult political decisions that only a true patriot would make. She was a sagacious woman with firm conviction and never shies away from what she believes. She chose country over self, a decision that would see her discontinue ties with former allies thus risking the emergence of vicious political adversaries, but she remained fearless and resolute because it was about preserving the centrality of the homeland. Good, she chose, bad she vehemently rejected!
The name Geraldine Doe-sheriff shall be finely incised in Liberian history books not only as a selfless political icon but for her enriching service to the nation.
Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff, we never want to say goodbye to a fine Leader, devout and unique patriot like you, a woman of deep conscience, but fate compels us to do so. No doubt, your stunning departure has dealt a massive blow to the entire nation, and will certainly sore the hearts of your beloved family, comrades, friends, fans, and followers.
To my dear friend, Solo Dorley (husband) and the entire Doe family, I can feel the piercing pains you are enduring at the moment. It is indeed heartbreaking to lose such a meek, awesome and large-hearted wife and family woman. These are truly disturbing times not only for you and the family but for our nation as a whole. Geraldine was indeed a woman of the people, but the work is finished and the end is written. She has got to move on by God’s command.
I admonish you to be steadfast and look to the almighty God for solace and guidance, as I extend my deepest sympathy to you and the entire family.
To Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff, I say thank you for warming our hearts, we remain a grateful NATION!! Please accept my last Salute!
With a pounding heart, I say Adieu my friend, Adieu Comrade Sister Doe-Sheriff…Adieu…Adieu…and Adieu…
