Augusta Jawara facts for kids

Hannah Augusta Darling Jawara, born Mahoney (May 1924 – 21 January 1981), was an important woman from The Gambia. She was a nurse, a writer of plays, and a strong supporter of women's rights. She was also the first wife of Dawda Jawara, who later became the first president of The Gambia.

Her Early Life and Education

Augusta Mahoney was born into a well-known Christian family in The Gambia. Her father, Sir John Mahoney, was the first Speaker of the Legislative Council. This was an important role in the government. Her mother was also named Hannah. Augusta's sister was Louise N'Jie.

Augusta went to Mohammedan High School. There, she met her future husband, Dawda Jawara. After school, she trained to be a nurse in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Marriage and Public Life

In February 1955, Augusta married Dawda Jawara. Their first child was born in Edinburgh. Her husband had returned there to study more.

Augusta was very active in public life. In 1960, she ran for election to the House of Representatives. This was a big step! She was the first woman ever to run in a national election in The Gambia. She ran for her husband's political party, the PPP. She did not win that election, but she made history.

In 1962, Augusta started the Women's Contemporary Society. This group helped women in The Gambia.

Her Work as a Playwright and Activist

Augusta Jawara was also a talented writer. Her play, The African King, was shown at the Negro Arts Festival in Dakar in 1966.

In 1967, she and Dawda Jawara divorced.

In 1968, Augusta published her play Rebellion. This play was very important for women's rights in The Gambia. It was about a teenage girl named Nyasta. Nyasta lived in a village and wanted to keep going to school. But her family wanted her to have an arranged marriage instead. The play showed the struggles girls faced.

At that time, Augusta was the President of the Gambia Women's Federation. She helped create this group from different women's associations. The federation worked to support women in the Greater Banjul Area.

Augusta Jawara passed away in London on 21 January 1981.

Works

Plays

• The African King, produced 1966.
• Rebellion, 1968.

Other

• "The Gambia Women's Federation", Women Today, Vol. 6, No. 4 (1965), pp. 79–81.