Born: 1938 (Monrovia, Liberia)
Biography:
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born Ellen Eugenia Johnson, 29 October 1938) is a Liberian politician who made history as the 24th president of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Known as the Iron Lady, Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa.
Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to a Gola father and Kru-German mother. She was raised in a prominent Americo-Liberian family and received her early education at the College of West Africa. With a thirst for knowledge, she pursued her education in the United States, where she studied at Madison Business College and later earned a degree in economics from Harvard University.
Returning to Liberia, Sirleaf embarked on a career in public service. In 1971, she joined William Tolbert’s government as Deputy Minister of Finance, a position she held until 1974. She then ventured to the West, working for the World Bank in the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1979, she was appointed as Minister of Finance by Tolbert, and she served in this role until the tragic events of 1980.
The coup d’état led by Samuel Doe resulted in the execution of Tolbert and forced Sirleaf to flee to the United States. Undeterred by adversity, she found employment at Citibank and later worked for the Equator Bank. However, Sirleaf’s passion for her country never waned, and she returned to Liberia in 1985 to contest a senatorial seat for Montserrado County.
The election was disputed, and Sirleaf’s open criticism of the military government led to her arrest. In 1985, she was sentenced to ten years in prison, yet her resilience and determination prevailed. Sirleaf was eventually released and she continued to be actively involved in politics, advocating for democracy and social justice.
In the midst of her political journey, Sirleaf ran for the presidency in 1997, finishing in second place behind Charles Taylor. However, she did not give up on her vision for a better Liberia. In 2005, Sirleaf succeeded in winning the presidential election and made history as the first woman in Africa elected as president of her country.
Throughout her presidency, Sirleaf faced various challenges, including rebuilding a war-torn nation, tackling corruption, and promoting economic growth. With her leadership, Liberia experienced a period of stability and progress. She implemented policies to improve education and healthcare, attract foreign investment, and foster gender equality.
Sirleaf’s dedication to women’s rights and empowerment was recognized globally when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. Her efforts to include women in the peacekeeping process and promote gender equality paved the way for future generations of women leaders.
In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, Sirleaf has been honored with numerous other awards for her exceptional leadership. Her contributions to society extend beyond Liberia as she served as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States from June 2016, becoming the first woman to hold this position.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s remarkable journey is a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to her country and its people. Through her visionary leadership and unwavering pursuit of justice and equality, she has left an indelible mark on Liberian history and women’s history worldwide.