Duncan-Cassell was born in 1960. She fled the First Liberian Civil War and settled in the United States.^[1] There, she studied business at the University of Phoenix, College of Marin, and Prairie View A&M University. She worked in banking in California before returning to Liberia.^[2]

Back in Liberia, Duncan-Cassell became involved in the country's postwar political scene. She was the first woman to serve as superintendent of Grand Bassa County, holding the position for six years, until 2012.^[2]^[3]

In 2012, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf appointed her as minister of gender, children, and social protection.^[4]^[5] She served in the role until 2018, with a brief break from July to October 2017, when she ran a failed campaign to represent Grand Bassa County District #3 in the Liberia House of Representatives.^[6]^[7] As minister, she promoted women's engagement in politics, opposed violence against women, and oversaw care of Ebola orphans during the West African Ebola epidemic.^[8]^[1]^[9]

Duncan-Cassell is a member of Liberia's Unity Party.^[10] She currently serves as president of the Europe External Programme with Africa.^[11]

Biography

References