Frederick Bashirchah
Frederick Bashirchah was a pioneering woman of her times. Raised in Sierra Leone, her family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, when she was just 6 years old. Frederick adapted to this new culture quickly and excelled academically. In high school, she was an active member of the student council and served as a student representative on the school board. In college, she studied psychology and international relations. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in 1981, she worked in research and consulting for the Department of Defense and later went on to earn a masters degree in Public Administration.
Frederick was committed to making a positive impact; she worked to bridge divides between people of different backgrounds and cultures. Frederick also immersed herself in local politics, working as an aide to then-Mayor Andrew Young and traveling regularly on behalf of the city, lobbying on behalf of Atlanta’s interests in Washington D.C.
In the mid-90s, Frederick decided to move back to Sierra Leone and continue her work there, advocating for the education of all children and improving the lives of people in rural communities. She sought to address the maternal mortality rate and develop economic development through local business partnerships. Frederick also sought to improve access to water and basic health services in rural Sierra Leone.
In 2002, Frederick was elected to Sierra Leones Parliament and became a Member of Parliament for the Sierra Leonean Peoples Party. As an MP, she campaigned for women’s rights and was an instrumental voice in the passage of the nation’s first Violence Against Women Act. She also worked hard to bring attention to the issue of female genital cutting, a common practice in many parts of the world.
Throughout her life, Frederick was determined and resilient, and she encouraged others to follow their dreams and to pursue their goals no matter what challenges they may face. She was an inspiration and a leader in her community and her legacy continues to have an impact on Sierra Leone today.
