FIRE Members

Ellen Pratt Byrdsell is an architect and urban designer specializing in urban redevelopment planning. Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Ellen has lived in Atlanta, Georgia for the past 18 years. She is married to Jason Byrdsell and is the mother of wonderful, 2 year old Adem Byrdsell. She received a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University and a Master of City and Regional Planning, from Georgia Institute of Technology. Ellen is currently employed as a project manager in the executive office of the Mayor of the City of Atlanta . As Chair of the Board, Ellen oversees the ongoing administration of the organization, and serves as project manager for fundraising events. Furthering her commitment to community service, Ellen is also the General Secretary of the Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta (LAMA). In addition, she volunteers with the community outreach committee of the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Campaign and serves on the board of Liberian Youth for Progress Inc, a Non-Governmental Organization that provides extra-curricular activities to Liberian high school students in Monrovia , Liberia . With a passion and commitment to bettering the lives of women and children in Liberia and throughout the Diaspora, Ellen hopes to build a legacy based on the premise that when you educate a woman, you educate a nation; with a focus on enriching the lives of mothers, who, in turn will build up our communities and our homeland.

Hawa-Ellen is a management accountant who has worked over 10 years in real estate investment management. Born and raised in Liberia , Hawa-Ellen lived in Georgia and New York for 17 years before relocating to Liberia in February 2007. She received her B.Sc. degree in Accounting from Morris Brown College , Georgia and her M.B.A. in Business Finance from Pace University , New York . Hawa-Ellen

also taught Business Mathematics at Gwinnett Technical College in Georgia and is dedicated to the discipline of education. Presently, she is a Restaurateur and also President of Transglobal Express Services, a general merchandise and shipping enterprise in Liberia . She serves as WOF Board’s Vice Chairman and helps to oversee the finances of the organization by serving as Advisor to the Finance Chair. She served as Project Manager for Children's Education Initiative 2004 and is currently the Project Manager for the Women of FIRE Scholarship Program. She also serves on the Public Relations and Event Planning Committees.

Heleta has a passion for community service and non-profit efforts. A 13 year resident of Atlanta, Georgia, she is a Senior Programs Administrator for disease management with a health care services firm. A certified prenatal health coach, she was project manager for Women's Health Initiative 2004. To foster a sense of community involvement, Heleta coordinates ongoing volunteer opportunities for the organization.

Kimberlyn received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Allen University in Columbia, SC with a major in Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration degree from Walden University. Having lived in several parts of Africa for many years, she resided in Atlanta, GA for 12 years before relocating to San Diego, California. Kim is a Project Manager with Cardinal Health's Supply Chain Management Department. She currently serves as Finance Chair and helps to maintain the financial holdings of the organization. Kim served as Project Manager for the Children's Initiative Project 2003. She currently serves on the Fundraising and Public Relations committees.

Celia Clement is a Liberian who grew up in Newark NJ , has resided in Georgia for the past 14 years. She has a degree in Computer Science and works for Royal Bank of Scotland as a Technical Support Specialist while attending school to become an Anesthesiologist. As the Executive Board Secretary she oversees all administrative functions related to the efficient day to day operations for WOF. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family and given back to her community and country.

Alma Dennis Muah

CEO, Classique Event Planning

Chaplain

Alma was born and raised in Monrovia, Liberia. In 1990 she left Liberia to come the United States because of the civil war. She graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a BA in Business/Marketing. She is the CEO of Classique Event Planning, an event planning company. She resides in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband Paul B. Muah and two lovely God given children Caleb and Eliana. As a way of giving back to her heritage, she produces the Miss Liberia Georgia Pageant. Not only does she serve as a mentor to many young Liberian women, she has helped and served other African communities like the Miss Africa Georgia pageant, Miss Zambia International and Miss Teen Africa. Alma has also worked with refugees from various African countries. In 2006 she was awarded the Extraordinary Community Leadership award by the Liberian Community Association of Georgia. Her life long goal is to continue to help young men and women by empowering them to become a positive global impact not only in their communities, but also in the world and with Christ's direction she will continue to go above and beyond. She has entered her first year of graduate school to obtain her masters in Christian counseling at Psychological Studies Institute in Atlanta , Georgia.

"Evie" was born and raised in Liberia. The youngest of three children, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Brooklyn College and her Master of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University. She worked for 6 years as a Financial Administrator with the United Methodist Church in Atlanta. She has a passion for community work and is a member of the Careysburg School Board, a Rotarian and also sits on the Board of Directors for MEASUAGOON. She has served as project manager for Children's Orphanage Project 2003 and Christmas Project 2003.

Edwina is a successful businesswoman and Life-Coach residing in Natomas, California. She has a strong passion for empowering the disenfranchised, which is the driving force behind her success and her affiliation with Women of FIRE. From her days of adolescence, Edwina undoubtedly believes her assignment is to build up and equip women and children to live a life of success and significance through the application of simple, yet practical, life success principles. As co-founder of The Forh Group, LLC, Edwina is CEO and COO of its subsidiaries---Zanadu International Designs, and the Forh Marketing Group. She holds a degree in Biotechnology Research from the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine, and is currently working on her Masters in Public Health. Edwina frequently travels with her husband conducting motivational and inspirational seminars throughout

the country, while also serving as a church leader, a wife, and mother of three.

Wlede Pratt Frankfort was born in Liberia, West Africa. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Houston. After graduating, she taught 7th grade science for several years and is now a stay at home mom to Adamah, 7 and Amina, 2. Wlede is married to Zolega Frankfort. They live in Atascocita, Texas where they are active members of Christ the King Episcopal Church. Wlede also serves as Vice President of Liberian Women of Progress in Houston.

Henrietta Mitchell was born in Liberia, West Africa. Having spent most of her life in the United States, she recently graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Her future goals include obtaining a masters degree, and utilizing that education to help the people of Liberia in the health care sector someday. Prior to joining FIRE, Henrietta volunteered on a consistent basis at all FIRE events; which eventually led to her becoming a member of FIRE in 2006. As such, she has taken on the role of Treasurer of the organization and will oversee the daily financial functions of the organization.