Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, often hailed as the “Iron Lady of Africa,” made history in 2006 when she became the first elected female head of state in Africa, serving as President of Liberia until 2018. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate and an icon of democratic resilience, Sirleaf transformed her war-torn nation into a symbol of post-conflict recovery and women’s empowerment.
Born in Monrovia in 1938, Sirleaf pursued her education in the United States, earning degrees in accounting and economics from Harvard. Her rise in international finance and politics was anything but conventional. From exile to imprisonment, she remained an outspoken critic of corruption and dictatorship in Liberia, gaining respect on the global stage for her unwavering stance on justice and reform.
As president, Sirleaf prioritized peacebuilding, women’s rights, and economic reconstruction. Under her leadership, Liberia emerged from years of civil war with renewed hope. She tackled the Ebola crisis with transparency and courage and championed education and healthcare for the underserved. Her presidency not only marked a turning point for Liberia but also inspired a generation of African women to step into leadership roles.
In 2011, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent struggle for the safety and rights of women. Today, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf stands as a symbol of female leadership in global politics, continuing her advocacy through foundations and international organizations focused on governance and gender equity.
