Lati Hyde-Forster, MBE (14 June 1911 – 12 September 2001) was the first woman to graduate Fourah Bay College.[1][2] She was also the first African woman school principal in Sierra Leone.[1][2]

Lati Hyde-Forster
Lati Hyde-Forster, 1975
Lati Hyde-Forster, 1975
BornLatilewa Christiana Hyde
(1911-06-14)14 June 1911
Freetown, British Sierra Leone
Died12 September 2001(2001-09-12) (aged 90)
Freetown, Sierra Leone
OccupationTeacher and principal
NationalityBritish Subject, Sierra Leonean
EducationUniversity of Cambridge, Boston College

Early life and education

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Latilewa Christiana Hyde was born on 14 June 1911 in Freetown, British Sierra Leone.[1] She is the daughter of Christiana (née Fraser) and Jonathan Hyde[1][2] Her father was a Methodist Minister and a graduate of Ranmoor College, Sheffield.[2] Her mother was the local postmaster and registrar of births and deaths in Murray Town.[2]

Both of her parents were Krios.[1]

She went to secondary school at Annie Walsh Memorial School.[1] In 1938, she was the first woman to graduate from Fourah Bay College.[1]

She got married in 1947 and became Latilewa Hyde-Forster.[1]

Career

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In 1947, Hyde-Forster was a senior teacher at Methodist Girls High School in Gambia.[1]

In 1961, she returned to Annie Walsh Memorial School as Vice-Principal and in 1961 became the first black female principal in Sierra Leone.[1]

Honors

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Hyde-Forster received an MBE for her services to education and the community.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k africanvoice (26 October 2017). "The Krios of Sierra Leone – Pioneers throughout Africa - African Voice Newspaper". African Voice Newspaper. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Conton, Miatta (27 September 2001). "Tribute to the First Female Fourah Bay College Graduate Latilewa Christiana Hyde". Concord Times (Freetown). Retrieved 28 June 2018.