Blog

The Mary E. Sharpe & Catherine Burton Humanitarian Award is a prestigious full-year tuition
scholarship dedicated to recognizing and supporting compassionate and charitable students. This
award is designed for those who exhibit exceptional leadership abilities and a strong commitment
to voluntary community service. By providing financial assistance, the award aims to empower
students who strive to make a positive impact in their communities and inspire others through
their humanitarian efforts.

Criteria:
Compassion and Charitable Spirit: Applicants must demonstrate a genuine commitment to helping
others, with a history of charitable activities and compassionate behavior.
Leadership Abilities: Candidates should exhibit strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and
inspire peers and lead initiatives that benefit the community.
Voluntary Community Service: Applicants must have a substantial record of voluntary community
service, showing dedication to improving the lives of others and contributing to community well-being.
Academic Performance: While the primary focus is on humanitarian efforts, applicants must also
maintain satisfactory academic performance, reflecting a balance between their studies and community
involvement.
Personal Statement: Applicants must submit a personal statement (Essay) describing their
humanitarian activities, leadership experiences, and how the award will support their educational and
charitable goals.
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required from teachers, community
leaders, or mentors who can attest to the applicant’s leadership qualities, charitable activities, and
commitment to service.
Essay Competition: Applicants must participate in the annual Mary E. Sharpe & Catherine Burton
Humanitarian Award Essay Competition and emerge winner.

A Humanitarian has concerns for other and is committed to working to improve the welfare and
happiness of other people. Mary and Catherine were unknowingly Humanitarians. During their lifetime,
both provided care and comfort to many without requesting any payment or returned favors for
services.
Mary E. Sharpe (deceased mother of Arthur James Wilson) was very proud of her Liberian heritage.
After relocating to the United States, she worked to care for her children and extended family remaining
in Liberia. Mary Sharpe’s son, Arthur is the 1st college graduate amongst his sibling group. As needed,
Mary Sharpe would provide shelter, clothing, and food to many transitioning from Liberia and other
places to the United States.
Catherine Burton (deceased mother of Harriet Burton-Wilson) loved to be of service to anyone in need
of assistance. She was strongly devoted to her family and faith in God. No matter how little she had,
Catherine helped others. Catherine spent time feeding the homeless, visiting the elderly in nursing
homes and freely caring for sick/elderly home bound persons. Catherine believed God would provide
what she needed to care for her family and others in need

About the Benefactors

Harriet Burton-Wilson is a proud alumnus of Lincoln University where she graduated with a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (1985). In 2013, Harriet earned a Master
of Social Work degree from Widener University. In 2024, Harriet became a certified Perinatal
Doula Service Provider through CDOSJ, Uzazi Village.
For at least 30 years, Harriet has worked in the field of Social Work services. She has worked for
10 years for the Department of Public Welfare, Phila. county and has worked for the Philadelphia
Department of Human Services for over 20 years. As a Social Worker, she facilitated parent
education and youth mentoring groups. Harriet’s focus was providing supportive services to
develop and empower families. Participants of these groups have gone on to obtain gainful
employment, achieve academic goals, and become leaders in their families and communities.
Now as the Project Manager for the “Strengthening Families Initiative” she manages ten non-profit agencies. The objective of this initiative is providing resources and social services which
strengthen and support families in their communities. Harriet extended this initiative to a parent
group in Burkina Faso, West Africa. During the event, parents in the U.S. and Liberia had an
opportunity to share their “life” experiences and engage in “peer-to-peer” learning with each
other.
Harriet is also active as a Perinatal Doula, where she provides support to expectant mothers and
their partners during and after their childbirth experience. In her role as a Doula, Harriet
advocates for families and works with the medical team to ensure the wishes of the expectant
parents are respected.
In honor of their deceased mothers, in February 2024, Harriet and her husband created the Mary
E. Sharpe & Catherine Burton Humanitarian Award. The Wilson’s designed an essay contest for
students at the St. Maria Goretti School located in Upper Caldwell, Liberia where the top prize
was awarded school tuition fees paid-in-full for the upcoming school term. The runner-up
received schoolbooks and uniforms for the next school term. The Wilson family presented
computer laptops to help students with their academic endeavors. Harriet believes in supporting
families and communities by “meeting people where they are”.
Harriet’s love of learning about and interacting with people from different cultures has led her to
become an international traveler. She believes that people all over the world are united through
their love, care, and concern for humanity. And if you have ever seen Harriet when there’s music
playing, you already know that she loves to dance.

Arthur James Wilson Jr. was born in Caldwell, Liberia. He attended the Elizabeth Tubman
Memorial Institute in Caldwell until his late mother, Mary E. Sharpe, relocated her family to the
United States. Arthur continued his education at the Regional School District of Bronx, New York
before re-locating to Philadelphia, PA. In1980, he graduated from Simon Gratz High School in
Philadelphia. After graduation, he attended Lincoln University (PA) and earned a B.A in Business
Administration (1985). Lincoln University provided more than academic experiences. He met
Harriet, his wife of 36 years. They are the proud parents of one daughter, Niara.
Arthur has been employed for many years in the insurance compliance industry. Currently, he is
working as an independent Travel Consultant. This experience has led to numerous opportunities
to travel abroad. Through travel, Arthur has engaged in a variety of cultural experiences, met
new people, and developed lasting friendships.
Even though Arthur was physically away, Liberia remained in his heart. He continued to focus on
cultivating and developing resources for his homeland. This included things such as supporting
feeding drive events and shipping personal barrels to friends and family in Caldwell.
In February of 2024, 52 years after leaving Liberia, Arthur and his family traveled to Monrovia,
Liberia. This gave Arthur an opportunity to re-connect with family and create new friendships.
In honor of their late mothers and mothers-in-law, Arthur and his wife created the Mary E.
Sharpe & Catherine Burton Humanitarian Award. Students attending the St. Maria Goretti
School had an opportunity to submit essays on the topic of Humanitarianism. The first-place
winner was awarded school tuition fees paid-in-full for the next school term. The runner up
received schoolbooks and uniforms for the following school term. The Wilson family also
presented laptops to help students with their academic endeavors.
In his spare time, Arthur loves to cook African food and host events for family and friends. He is
also an active cyclist and soccer player. Arthur remains thankful for the formal education he has
received, and the foundation “Sweet Liberia” has provided for him to support his family and
community in the U.S. and abroad.