14 Facts About Constance Cummings-John

Constance Cummings-John was a Sierra Leonean educationist and politician.

Constance Cummings-John 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.

Constance Cummings-John was based in London, England, for the latter part of her life.

Constance Cummings-John was born Constance Agatha Horton into an influential Creole family, black migrants to West Africa from the Americas in the 18th century who by the 20th century had become intellectuals, business people, and members of the professions.

Constance Cummings-John's father, John William Horton, was city treasurer of Freetown, while her mother, Regina Horton, nee Awoonor-Wilson, was a concert pianist.

Constance Cummings-John helped found the Sierra Leone Women's Movement in 1951.

Constance Cummings-John founded a new school for girls, the Eleanor Roosevelt School, which by 1953 had more than 600 students.

The Krio-led opposition then successfully demanded the resignation of both women, but the next year Constance Cummings-John was elected to the Freetown Municipal Council.

In 1961, with the independence of Sierra Leone, Constance Cummings-John's husband became the new country's ambassador to Liberia.

Constance Cummings-John's party lost the general election of 1966, and there was then a successful military coup against the new government.

Constance Cummings-John was herself accused of financial corruption while outside the country and was advised not to return.

Constance Cummings-John settled again in London, where she became an active member of the Labour Party and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and a school governor.

Constance Cummings-John's actions led to the formation of the Sierra Leone Market Women's Union and a Washerwoman's Union.

Constance Cummings-John died in London on 21 February 2000 at the age of 82.