Founded in 1847 as a home for former African-American slaves, the West African nation of Liberia has welcomed generations of expatriate Americans fleeing racism. One such immigrant was Earnestine “Amma” Smith, who settled in the capital, Monrovia, in 1958. An educator and landowner, Amma fled her new home during the recent deadly civil wars. Smith’s granddaughter, documentary filmmaker Dee Rees, accompanies Amma on her return to a new Liberia, now governed by Africa’s first woman president, as she attempts to rebuild her life.
EVENTUAL SALVATION is a Sundance Channel Original Documentary and premieres on October 19 at 9PM E/P.
October 20th, 2009 - 7:00 pm
I was so touched with Ernestine Smith and “Eventual Salvation”. Is there a way of writing/emailing her? I would truly like to see if there are charitable organizations that help CWA and how I could lend support to her or them. Sincerely, Terri Fox onefoxfarm@pldi.net
October 22nd, 2009 - 5:07 pm
Hello,
It was amazing seeing this. I attended CWA while she was President. She was partial to me ( I think ). I would like to write to her and just say thanks. As the Liberian President is sometimes called “the iron lady” she is another “iron lady. She is special.
Garmann Dennis
October 25th, 2009 - 12:11 am
Response to Teri Fox:
Mrs. Ernestine Smith/ CWA/Liberia
Hi Teri,
My name is Philine Darwin- Kennedy and I am off Liberian descent, living in the USA. I attended CWA when Mrs. Smith was the principal. She is truly a great lady and had a great influence on many of us who went there. I am not sure how to contact her, but, we do have a very active alumini association here in the United States. The link to the website is cwaaausa.org and I am sure that the president of the association, Al Wonasue, will be able to tell you how to get in touch with her.
October 25th, 2009 - 12:18 am
Sorry about the mis-spelling of your name Terri. I did not realized that I had forgotten to put in an extra “R”.
October 25th, 2009 - 12:24 am
Philine, I want to believe she resides in tenn,will get that information for you. She and Mr.Smith are william reide godparents.
October 30th, 2009 - 6:22 pm
Just watched this documentary on Sundance, what an amazing lady this is. Great documentary, what a great inspiration for Liberia and so many other places in Africa. Liberia will hopefully head towards peace and prosperity thanks to people like Ernestine.
Thanks