Miss ECO Sierra Leone Participates in 2015 The New Americans Expo Panel

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been doing well, all glory to the Almighty. On October 4th, I participated in the inaugural The New Americans Expo. I was a panelist in the "Immigrant Challenges in America" session. All panelists and moderator in this panel are of African descent.

Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

I talked about my experience as a Sierra Leone-born woman growing up and living in the United States from middle school through university, and life now as a woman pursuing a mining career. Additionally, I talked about how I am promoting my Sierra Leonean culture through pageantry and advocating for girls/women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, as well as the sustainable future of the mining industry.

Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Tata Nelson "Madiba" Mandela

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016,
Salone's Eco Queen.

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Attends I Am Hannah Vigil

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been blessed and highly favored, thanks to our awesome Lord Jesus. On September 19th, I attended the "I Am Hannah" vigil hosted by the Concerned Sierra Leoneans (CSL) group. The event was chaired by Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu (CSL Vice President and CEO of Miss Sierra Leone USA). The primary purpose of this event was to discuss the conditions surrounding and policies (Hannah's Law) being implemented after the heinous assault of the murdered teenager, Hannah Bockarie, few months ago; also, there was a discussion on violence against girls and women in Sierra Leone and how we can end this practice. Afterwards, there was candle-lighting in honor of Hannah and all the women victims of violence in Sierra Leone.

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

To start the session, I led the Christian prayer. There was also a Muslim prayer conducted. As one of the speakers at the event, I had the opportunity to talk about the implications of gender-based violence, as well as how critical this issue is to ecotourism in Sierra Leone because a nation is judged by how they treat their women and children. I have always been passionate about women's issues so violence against women is near and dear to my heart; when I was in college, my minor was women's studies leadership and one of the things I've made a priority with my organization (When You Believe Foundation) is violence against women. In fact, October commemorates National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson and Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu (Medical Anthropologist)

A woman of faith is blessed by faithful men in her life who hold the priesthood of God and honor this privilege: her father, bishop, husband, brothers, sons. They value her and the divine gifts given by God to His daughter. They sustain and encourage, and they understand the great mission of her life as a woman. They love her; they bless her. Margaret D. Nadauld

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016,
Salone's Eco Queen.

Salone Tourism Thursday - Mining in Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Salone Tourism Thursday - Cotton Tree of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Salone Tourism Thursday - Religions of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Salone Tourism Thursday - Wildlife of Sierra Leone

Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Miss ECO Sierra Leone Attends Miss Guinee North America 2015 Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing fabulous, thanks be to God! On Sunday, September 6, I attended the 7th Annual Miss Guinea North America 2015 pageant. This pageant is owned and founded by Mrs. Hawa Barry Diallo. The event was well organized and congratulations to the MGNA team for a successful show. There was entertainment, culture, and good food which I enjoyed at the after-party. It was a great weekend to enjoy and celebrate Africa and the African woman.

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Congratulations to the 5 Miss Guinee North America finalists. They are all smart, beautiful, and dynamic women. Special congratulations to the beautiful Miss M'mah Camara from Maryland who was crowned Miss Guinea North America 2015. Wishing her all the best during her time of service, I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this sweet lady.

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson with other African Queens

During the coronation event, I had the opportunity to talk to the audience about the Miss ECO pageant and its mission of promoting ecotourism and environmental awareness. Having this title of Miss ECO Sierra Leone is very important to me because tourism and promoting Sierra Leone in this period of kicking out Ebola out of our nation is very crucial. This is the time for us as Sierra Leoneans, Guineans, and Liberians to promote and re-brand our nations after the invasion of this deadly virus. Additionally, I talked about my personal platform of "Bridging The Gap: Miners and Environmentalists Must Work Together for Mother Earth!" I made reference to my degree in mining engineering as well as the mining internship I completed in Koidu Town, Kono District two years ago working at Octea Diamond Group. I am grateful to have shared my message with everyone in attendance. Follow my adventures as Miss ECO Sierra Leone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

BEAUTY AND BRAINS
Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Guinea North America 2015 3rd Runner Up Farida Fofana and Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

DANCING QUEEN
Miss ECO Sierra Leone 2016 Ruby B. Johnson

Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions. Paulo Coehlo

Ruby B. Johnson,
Your Miss Eco Sierra Leone 2016,
Salone's Eco Queen.


Photos by Life Depicted Productions