Augusta Jawara

Hannah Augusta Darling Jawara (née Mahoney; May 1924 – 21 January 1981), was a Gambian nurse, playwright and activist for women's rights. She was the first wife (from 1955 to 1967) of Sir Dawda Jawara, Prime Minister of the Gambia.

Quotes

• "I insist on going to school, refusing to marry at 14 years, and demanding liberty to marry the man I choose. We must save our sex from exploitation of men".
  • Hannah Augusta Jawara, writing as Ramatulie Kinteh, Rebellion pg 9.

Quotes about Augusta Jawara

• “She is a remarkable woman and one of the first genuine political activists.”
  • Dawda Jawara Jr., speaking about his mother, Hannah Augusta Jawara, at a Gambian literature awards event.

• “The lesson to be drawn from the lives and struggles of these two champions is that before the banners were first raised in this country, Gambian writers had staged and published works that have fought for the rights, dignity and pride of the Gambian woman and girl-child.”
  • Dr Pierre Gomez, referring to Hannah Augusta Jawara and Janet Badjan-Young.

• “Hannah Augusta Jawara was among the Gambian women who fought for emancipation from the shackles of culture, chauvinism or patriarchy.”
  • Hassoum Ceesay's historical work.