History of Seattle-Limbe Sister City Association
Dr. Millie Russell
Seattle-Limbe Sister City Association has made valuable contributions towards life in Limbe. The group refurbished a truck, packed it with medical supplies and persuaded Boeing to fly the truck over. The fire chief traveled with them on the initial trip and gave advice on fire prevention, outfitted an entire school band with instruments, provided English books for a school, and sent refurbished computers.
The Seattle-Limbe relationship was highlighted by an official visit to Seattle by the Cameroonian Ambassador to the United States and the "African Panoply" Seattle Art Museum exhibit. SLSCA has secured pharmaceuticals for a Limbe Clinic, organized a bike tour led by Seattle residents, and hosted visitors from Cameroon.
In 1989 SLSCA received the Sister Cities International Award for program revitalization. As Limbe Mayor Matute stated in 1988 in his welcoming telex to the Seattle delegation, "The trip to Limbe will bring our two cultures closer and will foster an appreciation for the similarities and rich diversity we can build upon for the future."
Judge Ruperta Alexis followed Dr. Russell as president of SLSCA. LueRachelle Brim-Atkins and Alfreda Lanier currently serve as co-presidents.
The Seattle-Limbe Sister City Association was established in 1984. In 1988, Mayor Charles Royer and then-SLSCA president, Dr. Millie Russell, led a delegation of Seattle citizens to Limbe, Cameroon to present a medical aid van as a gift from the City of Seattle.
Dr. Russell described her first impressions: "It was very busy. Lots of people. Luxuriant with trees and green growth." The delegation received the red carpet treatment. Guides took them from the airport at Douala to an oceanfront hotel in Limbe, where they were plied with fresh sea bass.
Dr. Russell recalled, "The next day we went to City Hall and they had a dress for every lady and a dashiki [loose-fitting African shirt] for every man. We still have those lovely items. They wanted to talk about life in our place and life in their place. We liked the water and the good fish but their kindness was what impressed me the most."
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