Being the fourth born, Alberta lived between the guidance of her elder sisters—Sophia, Esther, and Josephine—and the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings: Cecilia, Maame (Mrs. Wilson), Paapa Butler, and Nana Butler. The house was always alive with energy, laughter, and chores. She fondly remembers her third sister, Mansa, strong-willed and protective. Walking together to Government Girls’ School, Alberta and her friends always wanted to be near Mansa, because if anyone dared to bully them, Mansa would boldly step in to defend her sisters. Perhaps the most special bond of Alberta’s childhood was with her grandfather, Ekow Tawiah Josiah. Named after him at birth — Araba Tawiah a.k.a. Ewurabena Josiah — she felt a closeness that went beyond ordinary grandparent love. She remembers following him around, especially during school breaks, helping with his work. On weekends, people from Cape Coast and even Elmina would come to him for essentials — bread, milk, sugar, and pepper. Her grandfather gave freely, never turning anyone away. Alberta learned this same spirit of generosity and later said, “I took after him — I’ve always liked to give.” Life at home was lively but structured. Emmanuel’s strictness stemmed from his nature, not the size of the family. With six girls and two boys, Alberta often found herself in the middle of household activity — helping her mother and grandmother bake, selling goods, playing netball at school, and caring for her younger brothers. Alberta’s childhood, shaped by the warmth of her mother and grandmother’s baking, the firmness of her father’s discipline, and the generosity of her grandfather, gave her a unique foundation. Growing up in Cape Coast near Victoria Park, she absorbed the values of tradition, family, and community. These early years nurtured her love for baking and instilled the strength, kindness, and resilience that would guide her through the decades to come. Esther Maude Brew-Butler (née Josiah) Emmanuel Brew-Butler “ Growing up in Cape Coast near Victoria Park, she absorbed the values of tradition, family, and community. The Birthday Journal 5
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