Fairfax County NAACP President Becomes Cameroonian Queen Mother

Fairfax County NAACP President, Shirley Ginwright, was given the title of Mafor, which means Queen Mother, at the US NW Fons Council Annual Royal Dinner on May 17.  The Council was established in 2007 by three kings and a dozen members of the Cameroonian nobility who live in the Washington, DC area to promote Cameroonian cultural awareness, tourism, and scholarships to poor but bright Cameroonian children.

Ginwright was previously honored by the Council for her dedication and involvement in Civil Rights and the community. She was given the title of Mafor because of her commitment to help raise scholarships for Cameroonian children.  At the May 17 event, she was also presented with a traditional, royal Cameroonian outfit.  As Mafor, she now has a more engaging role in the Council and the community.  She is pictured here with Kings Kennedy Nganjo, Raymond B. Kangsen, and Godlove Ayeng III of the NW province of  Cameroon. 

Ginwright stated, “I often heard that children of African countries must pay to attend school.  What I did not know was how little it cost to educate a child.”  For as little as $50, one child can attend school for one year, while $500 will fund one year of college for a deserving student.  “Knowing this has given me a different perspective on how I spend money and how I can help educate a child.”  Ginwright has pledged to educate fifteen children, from three different regions in Cameroon.  The US NW Fons Council is a 501(c)3 corporation and 100% of scholarships received are awarded to the children.  The Council takes no overhead or administrative fees.  These children, if not provided scholarships, would not otherwise be able to attend school.  Ginwright has plans to attend one of the scholarship award ceremonies in Cameroon in 2015 where she will be crowned as Mafor.

In addition to providing educational funds, the council is working to raise money to bring water, electricity, medical clinics and other development projects to rural areas. To learn more about the Fons Council or to donate to the scholarship fund, visit them at www.usnwfonscouncil.org.