THE Women of F.I.R.E., INC.

 

Ellen Pratt Byrdsell, AICP

Chair, WOF Board

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 19 years. Ellen is blessed to be the mother of wonderful, 4 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, Georgia. When Ellen is not managing municipal operations, she dedicates time to community service. She serves as the Chair of the Board of Women of FIRE Inc. In addition, she volunteers with various community outreach projects in the Liberian community 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 empowering mothers, women and girls, who in turn will strengthen their communities and homeland.

 

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Hawa-Ellen Knuckles

Vice Chair, WOF Board

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 F.I.R.E., Inc. Scholarship Program. She also serves on the Public Relations and Event Planning Committees.

 

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Kimberlyn Watkins Bestman, MPA

Finance Chair, WOF Board

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 in 2008. Having lived in several parts of Africa for many years, she resided in Atlanta, GA for 12 years before relocating to San Diego, California with her husband William. 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. In addition to serving humanity through FIRE, Kim also serves as advisor to the Board of Directors of Divine Mercy – a non-profit organization that meets the needs of blind and orphaned adults and children in Liberia. Kim served as Project Manager for the Children's Initiative Project 2003. She also currently serves on the Fundraising and Public Relations committees.

 

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Heleta "Finda" Thornes

WOF Board Member

Heleta has a passion for community service and non-profit efforts. A 15 year resident of Atlanta, Georgia, she is a certified prenatal health coach, and served as project manager for Women's Health Initiative 2004. To foster a sense of community involvement, Heleta coordinates ongoing volunteer opportunities for the organization.

 

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Ethel V. Knuckles

WOF Board Member

"Evie" was born and raised in Liberia. After relocating due to the civil war, she received her B.A. from Brooklyn College and her M.B.A. from Kennesaw State University.  During her time in Atlanta, she worked for 6 years as a Financial Administrator with a non-profit organization. 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.

 

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Celia Clement

Secretary, WOF Board

Celia Clement is a Liberian who grew up in Newark N.J, 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 giving back to her community and country.

 

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Alma D. Muah

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.  Alma is also the program and planning chair for the current administration of the Liberian Association of Metropolitan Atlanta in Georgia.
She resides in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband Paul B. Muah and two lovely God given children. 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.  She is a graduate student at Richmont University in Atlanta, GA studying Christian counseling.

 

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Edwina Morgan Forh

Member

Edwina is a successful businesswoman and Life-Coach residing in Oakland, California. She has a strong passion for empowering the disenfranchised, which is the driving force behind her success and her affiliation with The Women of F.I.R.E., Inc. 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.

 

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Wlede Pratt Frankfort

Member

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 two beautiful children Adamah and Amina. She is married to Zolega Frankfort. In 2008, Wlede and her family relocated to London, England. She served as Vice President of Liberian Women of Progress in Houston.

 

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Henrietta Mitchell

Treasurer

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 F.I.R.E., Henrietta volunteered on a consistent basis at all F.I.R.E. events; which eventually led to her becoming a member of F.I.R.E. in 2006. As such, she has taken on the role of Treasurer of the organization and will oversee the daily financial duties of the organization.

 

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