Birthday of Constance Cummings-John

Constance Cummings-John was a Sierra Leonean educationist, politician, and anti colonial activist. She was the first woman in Africa to join a municipal council and in 1966 became the first woman to serve as mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone. She was based in London, England, for the latter part of her life where she was involved in the campaign for nuclear disarmament. After studying teaching in London, she went to the United States for further education. After returning to London she joined the International African Service Bureau, under the leadership of George Padmore, and married Ethnan Cummings-John, a radical lawyer. In 1951 she returned to Freetown where she joined the Sierra Leone People's Party and helped found the Sierra Leone Women's Movement. She worked for Sierra Leone independence which was granted in 1961. In 1966, Prime Minister Albert Margai appointed her as Mayor of Freetown which she served until her political party lost influence. After that she returned to London where she remained politically active, especially in anti-nuclear work.