Most Respected Lady Sis. Mensah-Kane, a lady with an eye for perfection, was born on August 8, 1927. This illustrious, hardworking and committed Past Grand Lady attended St. Mary’s Primary School Cape Coast, Kumasi Catholic Girls’ School and AME Zion Middle School, Winneba.
She started work as a teacher at the St. John Basic Primary School in 1947 and between 1948 and 1951 she worked as a nurse at the then Cape Coast Nursing School. She joined the husband in London in 1953 where she trained as a Cosmetologist. She returned home with the husband in 1958 and established the Palace Hairdressing salon, which became the eye of all in the municipality.
The NOBLE ORDER
She was a founding member of the Noble Order of the Ladies of Marshall inaugurated in Accra on
the 20th December 1969. Following the inauguration, she became the first Noble Lady of Court 2, Cape Coast. Then young and dutiful Sister Frances Mensah-Kane reigned for only six months and moved to the enviable position as Deputy Grand Lady following her election in 1971. She rose to the enviable position of Grand Lady in 1975 and reigned for two years.
MRL Sister Frances Mensah-Kane and late Sir Kt. Bro. J.J Mensah-Kane introduced the junior council and court concept into the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall in Ghana and inaugurated the first Junior Council and Court, Queen of Apostles in Cape Coast on August 25, 1978.
With the support of her husband, she initiated the formation in Ghana of the “Catholic Daughters of Ghana” which derives its name from Catholic Daughters of America, an American Catholic Ladies. Association formed by the Knights of Columbus of the United States of America.
Prior to the merger and formation of Ladies of Marshall, she was the Grand Regent of the Catholic Daughters of Ghana, then, with its headquarters in Cape Coast. She was installed on Saturday, March 27, 1965 at Cape Coast. Through her efforts and good leadership qualities, branches of Catholic Daughters of Ghana were established in Accra and Sekondi.
MRL Sis. Mensah-Kane contributed to the designing of the style of the blue uniform of the Ladies of Marshall and promoted and encouraged the wearing of white gloves for major ceremonies and functions.
At age 84, MRL Sister Mensah-Kane faithfully attends meetings when she is in town at her mother Court. Such visits enable her to inspire the present generation of ladies to lift aloft the banner of the Noble Order.
CHURCH AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Her contribution to the growth of Catholic has been immense.’ Her advice to seminarians has helped in the formation of priests. Also worth mentioning are her active participation in Church and various communities in the Elmina environs.
She has three children all Marshallans, namely, Sister Josephine Dodd of Court 59, Teshie Nungua, Bro. Albert Mensah-Kane, Council 70, London. Sister Jorie Mensah- Kane, Court 90, Adenta.
The Bridge salutes this stalwart and true believer of the Catholic faith for her immense contributions towards the growth, development and sustenance of the Noble Order of
the Knights and Ladies of Marshall.
(Published in the Bridge Jul. – Dec. 2011)