Angie Elisabeth Brooks
Encyclopedia
Angie Elizabeth Brooks was a Liberian
diplomat and jurist. She is notable for being the only African female President of the United Nations General Assembly
. She was also the second female from any nation to head the U.N.
In 1954 she became Liberia's representative to the United Nations, where much of her work involved the transformation of former colonial states into independent countries. In 1969, she was chosen as the President of the General Assembly and took office in 1970.
She also served as Assistant Secretary of State of Liberia and a supreme court justice.
in Raleigh, North Carolina
, USA. Three years later, she got a Bachelor of Law degree and a Master of Science degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
. Brooks earned Doctor of Law degrees, from Shaw University and Howard University
in 1962 and 1967 respectively. She also did graduate work in international law at the University College Law School
of the University of London
in 1952 and 1953, and obtained a Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of Liberia in 1964.
Brooks previously served as Counsellor-at-law to the Supreme Court of Liberia
in August 1953, and as Assistant Attorney-General of Liberia from August 1953 to March 1958. She was also a part-time Professor of Law at University of Liberia
from 1954 to 1958.
Brooks was a member of the Eta Beta Omega international chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority.
Angie Brooks had two biological sons, Richard A. Henries II and Wynston Henries. In addition, she also a foster mother. After her divorce from Richard A. Henries I, she later married Isaac M Randolph.
She died on September 9, 2007 in Houston, Texas
, USA. Brooks received a state funeral
in Liberia and was buried in her birthplace of Virginia, Liberia
.
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
diplomat and jurist. She is notable for being the only African female President of the United Nations General Assembly
President of the United Nations General Assembly
The President of the United Nations General Assembly is a position voted for by representatives in the United Nations General Assembly on a yearly basis.- Election :...
. She was also the second female from any nation to head the U.N.
In 1954 she became Liberia's representative to the United Nations, where much of her work involved the transformation of former colonial states into independent countries. In 1969, she was chosen as the President of the General Assembly and took office in 1970.
She also served as Assistant Secretary of State of Liberia and a supreme court justice.
Background
The daughter of a Baptist minister and one of nine children, Brooks was raised by a widowed seamstress. After a teenage marriage and divorce to Richard A. Henries (who later became Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives, she decided to seek a higher education. Brooks partially financed her studies by working as a dishwasher, laundress, a library assistant, and nurse's aide. In 1949, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science from Shaw UniversityShaw University
Shaw University, founded as Raleigh Institute, is a private liberal arts institution and historically black university in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest HBCU in the Southern United States....
in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, USA. Three years later, she got a Bachelor of Law degree and a Master of Science degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. Brooks earned Doctor of Law degrees, from Shaw University and Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in 1962 and 1967 respectively. She also did graduate work in international law at the University College Law School
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
of the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
in 1952 and 1953, and obtained a Doctor of Civil Law degree from the University of Liberia in 1964.
Brooks previously served as Counsellor-at-law to the Supreme Court of Liberia
Supreme Court of Liberia
The Supreme Court of Liberia is the highest judicial body in the West African nation of Liberia. The court consists of the Chief Justice of Liberia and four Associate Justices, who are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate...
in August 1953, and as Assistant Attorney-General of Liberia from August 1953 to March 1958. She was also a part-time Professor of Law at University of Liberia
University of Liberia
The University of Liberia is a publicly funded institution of higher learning located in Monrovia, Liberia. Authorized by the national government in 1851, the school opened in 1863 as Liberia College and became a university in 1951. The school is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning...
from 1954 to 1958.
Brooks was a member of the Eta Beta Omega international chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha
Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The sorority was founded on January 15, 1908, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by a group of nine students, led by Ethel Hedgeman Lyle...
Sorority.
Angie Brooks had two biological sons, Richard A. Henries II and Wynston Henries. In addition, she also a foster mother. After her divorce from Richard A. Henries I, she later married Isaac M Randolph.
She died on September 9, 2007 in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA. Brooks received a state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
in Liberia and was buried in her birthplace of Virginia, Liberia
Virginia, Liberia
Virginia is a western suburb of Monrovia, located near the Atlantic Ocean and Saint Paul River in Liberia. It was the birthplace of Angie Brooks, the first African female president of the United Nations General Assembly....
.