Ex-mayor to become honorary Liberian citizen

Patsy Jo Hilliard, former mayor of East Point, will become an honorary citizen of Liberia at this year’s United for Liberia Global Health Fundraising Gala. The dinner will take place Sept. 30 at Morehouse School of Medicine.

“I have always thought of myself as a Liberian citizen, so I am thrilled to finally have this honor. The six years we spent in Monrovia, Liberia, were some of the best years of my life,” Hilliard said.

Each year, the University Consortium for Liberia honors an influential U.S. citizen with honorary Liberian citizenship. Past honorary citizens include award winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. Honorary citizens are selected based on their service to Liberia or their Liberian ancestry.

In 2016, Hillard traveled to Libe- ria with the Liberian Consulate in Georgia for the Liberian Business Summit, but her relationship with the country extends further back. Hilliard taught first grade at Bright Functions School in Monrovia, Liberia, in 1964. While in Liberia, she also served as volunteer coordinator for the organization of American Women in Liberia. Her husband Asa Hilliard, was Chief of Staff for the Monrovia Consolidated School System in the early 1960s.

She was the first African American and first woman elected mayor of East Point in 1993.

Information: 404-590-1655, cblandford@ucliberia.com or www.ucliberia.com.