Interview with Sia Barbara Ferguson Kamara, May 5, 2021

Interview Summary

Sia recalls her upbringing in an internationally-oriented home, which led her to join the Peace Corps to teach in Liberia 1963-1965. She recounts her service there, which included teaching 9th-grade math, coaching the girls’ track team, teaching English to adults, and teaching primary school. Sia tells of serving in the U.S. as a Peace Corps Recruiter. She relates experiencing racial discrimination in Liberia and the U.S. She describes the many blessings her Peace Corps service had on her life, family, and career. For example, her work with children led to a career in early childhood education, which included leading the U.S. National Head Start Program. Sia shares her pride in receiving the 2012 Peace Corps’ Franklin H. Williams Award for distinguished service. And she describes her continuing work on behalf of Liberia, including with the Liberian government, the Carter Center, her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., and Friends of Liberia.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (U.S) Liberia (Country of service) 1963-1965 (Date of service) Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Education Peace Corps Volunteer Job: Recruiter Diversity in the Peace Corps Liberia Sierra Leone Kenya Nigeria Rwanda Tanzania Uganda Tappita (town in Liberia) Nimba County Cape Mount County Robertsport (town in Liberia) Maryland County Pleebo (town in Liberia) White Missionaries Black Americans Racial Discrimination Sylvia Ashton-Warner Entebbe Mombasa Bishop Samuel David Ferguson Tappita District Development Association Linda Thomas-Greenfield President Jimmy Carter Carter Center Friends of Liberia Franklin H. Williams Award Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Ending Period Poverty United Church of Christ Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee 1963 March on Washington Civil Rights (U.S.) National Head Start Program (U.S.)

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Interview Usage

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