We have all heard about how badly Ebola is ravaging West African countries. So on this Thanksgiving, it is so important to think about how fortunate we all are here in the United States to be healthy and protected from this epidemic that is taking so many lives in Africa, especially in the country of Liberia.
I had the pleasure of meeting one of the leading advocates for the children of Liberia– she has been called “Liberia’s Angel”– at a charity luncheon for the Voss Foundation’s Women Helping Women. Her name is MacDella Cooper. Born and raised in Liberia; she had to flee the country she loved at 16 with her family, due to the civil conflict that made it impossible to remain there. They set their sights on America, where MacDella went on to be a great success on the New York fashion scene, developing comprehensive marketing strategies for Ralph Lauren.
Although Cooper was enjoying success in New York, she couldn’t keep her native country out of her mind. After researching the conflict there– seeing images of women and children without proper food, clothing and shelter, she immediately decided to do something about it and created The MacDella Cooper Foundation.
The MacDella Cooper Foundation is hosting a charity event here in New York, United Against Ebola, on December 5, from 7-10 p.m. The event will be hosted by MacDella, Matt Dillon, Bonnie Young, and Hans Humes. United Against Ebola will be held at the Landmark on the Park NYC (160 Central Park West), and it will feature fashion, music, cocktails, and dinner. Tickets are as follows: General Admission – $75, Reserve Seating – $250, and to Reserve a Table – $2,500. You can find more details HERE.
The MacDella Cooper Foundation was founded by MacDella in 2004 (after a peace agreement was signed by Liberia’s warring factions) to help provide necessities, care, and education for abandoned and orphaned children in Liberia. The MacDella Cooper Foundation Academy houses 80 children, and it has been a model of success. To read more about the foundations mission and vision, please click HERE.
