By Dadson Musa
Support Sports in Sierra Leone was founded to be a strong link between Sierra Leoneans in the United States and the greater U.S. citizenry, allowing everyone to contribute to a country with centuries-old cultural, historical, and blood ties to America. This connection is more than just abstract it’s woven into the very fabric of our shared history.
The remarkable life of Margru Kinson provides a perfect example of this profound, enduring relationship.
The Amistad Journey and the Fight for Freedom
Originally from the Mende region of what is now Sierra Leone, Margru was a young girl sold into slavery to pay a family debt. In 1839, she was part of the group of Africans illegally transported aboard the schooner La Amistad. A revolt, led by Sengbe Pieh (Cinque), saw the captives seize control of the ship, demanding to be sailed back to Africa. Instead, the ship landed in the United States, leading to a highly publicized court case that drew international attention to the brutality and illegality of the slave trade.
During her time imprisoned in the U.S., Margru received the name Sarah Kinson and, with the support of the U.S. abolitionist movement, began to pursue an education.
From Captive to Scholar and Teacher
After the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Amistad captives in 1841, Margru returned to West Africa with the other survivors. Her desire to learn was undimmed. She continued her education at the Kaw Mendi Mission in Sierra Leone, where her intelligence and drive stood out.
Recognized as a young woman with the potential to become a teacher, Kinson made an unprecedented move: she returned to the United States in 1846 to study at Oberlin College in Ohio. This made her the first woman born in Africa to be educated at an American college. After three years of excelling in her studies at Oberlin, she crossed the Atlantic once more, returning to Sierra Leone in 1849 to work as a missionary and teacher.
Margru later married fellow missionary teacher Edward Green. Having crossed the Atlantic Ocean four times—once as an enslaved person and three times as a free, educated woman—her incredible journey symbolizes the spirit of resilience, education, and commitment.
Kinson’s Legacy: An Inspiration for Today
Margru Kinson’s story is an inspiring chapter in the relationship between the United States and Sierra Leone. It is an example of a Sierra Leonean who, after enduring unimaginable horrors, found freedom and education in the U.S. and then chose to return to her homeland to work for the betterment of her community.
Her life is an inspiration to diaspora Sierra Leoneans everywhere: to never forget the people in the mother country and to always look for ways to contribute to their well-being and progress.
This is the very spirit that drives Support Sports in Sierra Leone. Just as Margru returned to bring education, we believe in supporting the next generation through sports, providing positive role models, building essential infrastructure, and fostering community development. We ask you to join us in honoring this legacy of giving back.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 10th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
