Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Africa's first woman president, Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - an Obaahemaa adoptee. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is a magnificent leader and an amazing woman. In January I attended her inauguration in Monrovia, where she delivered a moving and inspiring address that spoke directly to the women of Liberia, of Africa and of the world. From her service as a Liberian Cabinet Minister in the 1970s, senior United Nations administrator in the 1990s and now Liberia's President, Johnson-Sirleaf, 67, has never stopped working for democracy for her country. When she opposed the military rule of Samuel Doe, she was imprisoned before eventually fleeing Liberia. Her years in exile afforded her valuable international experience through her work at the World Bank and the U.N. As the first woman ever elected President in Africa, Johnson-Sirleaf is an example of what can happen when girls are educated. Educated women are better positioned to contribute to their economies and their countries. When women are equipped with knowledge, they can be better mothers. During the election campaign, the diminutive grandmother figure was often dwarfed by her party officials and bodyguards but over a political career spanning almost 30 years she has earned her steely nickname. She was imprisoned in the 1980s for criticising the military regime of Samuel Doe and then backed Charles Taylor's rebellion before falling out with him and being charged with treason after he became president. She twice went into exile to escape her legal problems with the governments of the day. In 1997, she came a distant second to Mr Taylor in elections following a short-lived peace deal. One veteran of Liberia's political scene said Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf's nickname comes from her iron will and determination. "It would have been much easier for her to quit politics and sit at home like others have done but she has never given up," he said. Her supporters say she has two advantages over the man she faced in the run-off - former football star George Weah - she is better educated and is a woman. 'Motherly sensitivity' Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf has held a string of international financial positions, from minister of finance in the late 1970s to Africa director at the United Nations Development Programme. So, the argument goes, who better to rebuild Liberia's shattered economy? Only a man can be strong enough to deal with all the ex-combatants. Liberia just isn't ready to have a woman leader yet Liberian man George Weah profile And she says she is ready to start on what will be an enormous task. "We know expectations are going to be high. The Liberian people have voted for their confidence in my ability to deliver... very quickly," she told Reuters news agency. Many educated Liberians - and members of the old elite descended from freed American slaves - gave Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf their backing. Women and some gender-sensitive men in the city are also quick to blame men for wrecking the country. "We need a woman to put things right," said one waitress. Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf said she wants to become president in order "to bring motherly sensitivity and emotion to the presidency" as a way of healing the wounds of war. She has pledged to work towards reconciliation by bringing her former opponents into a government of national unity - if they want to join her. "We are going to reach out to them and assure them the country is also theirs," she said. Throughout her campaign, she has said that if she won, it would encourage women across Africa to seek high political office. But in rural areas, where male-dominated traditions remain strong, there may be some resistance to the idea of a female leader. Even one well-educated man said: "Only a man can be strong enough to deal with all the ex-combatants. Liberia just isn't ready to have a woman leader yet." Johnson-Sirleaf's courage and commitment to her country are an inspiration to women around the world. (July, 2007)