The Life and Times of Louise Fatima Bendu Sandimannie Massaquoi

The German Department hosted Ms. Vivian Seton for a virtual presentation on the remarkable life of her mother, Louise Fatima Bendu Sandimannie Massaquoi. Dr. Fatima Massaquoi Fahnbulleh was born in Gendema, Sierra Leone, when her father Momolu Massaquoi was King of the Galinas.  Her mother was Massa Barlo Sonjo. She grew up in Hamburg (Germany) when her father Momolu Massaquoi was Minister Counsellor to Europe and the League of Nations and Consul General to Hamburg.  She excelled in all things German: school, folklore, culture and language.

The love of German led her to teach it at Lane College, Fisk University, and other schools. She took that love back with her to Liberia where she introduced German as a foreign language at the University of Liberia.

Vivian Seton was born in Monrovia, Liberia, to Ernest B. Fahnbulleh and Prof. Dr. Fatima Massaquoi Fahnbulleh. After schooling in Liberia, Germany, and France, she worked as an anchorwoman, news caster, and translator in Liberia while earning a law degree from the University of Liberia. After further schooling in the United States, including in Georgetown’s Linguistics Department, she was the host of ‘Letter to Liberia’ and ‘Your Healthy Family’ at the Voice of America. She also served as an Informative Language Consultant and Trainer to the United States Peace Corps and other federal agencies. She has penned various books and plays, including co-authoring her mother’s memoirs The Autobiography of an African Princess.