Emily A. Siassay is a junior at Muhlenberg College, double majoring in International Studies & Sociology. Born in Harper City, Maryland County—one of Liberia’s smallest counties—she is the eighth of her father’s twelve children and was raised under her mother’s support. Coming from a family where boys were prioritized over girls, Emily had to drop out of school for a year due to financial constraints. However, her resilience and commitment to education enabled her to catch up with her peers, strengthening her passion for social justice and advocacy.
In high school, Emily served as captain of the Intellectual Debate Team, an experience that helped her develop confidence in expressing her views on critical issues. She is deeply committed to women’s empowerment, social justice, and international policy development. Currently, she serves as the Executive Director of Girls Initiative Liberia (GIL), a nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of young women, addressing societal injustices, and breaking barriers that hinder their progress. Through GIL, Emily leads workshops on menstrual education and literacy programs for children.
At Muhlenberg College, Emily is actively engaged in campus leadership and community service. She works as a student staff member in the Office of Student Life and collaborates with the Office of Community Engagement, where she volunteers with Lehigh Valley Habitat for Humanity. She is also a member of Alliances for Justice Active Leadership (AJAL) and played a key role in founding the African Students Organization (ASO), where she serves on the Executive Board.
After graduation, Emily plans to return to Liberia as a lawyer, advocating for the rights of women and low-income communities. With Liberia’s high levels of corruption, she believes the judicial system needs qualified changemakers to ensure equal access to justice for all, especially the most vulnerable.