Leymah Gbowee: Revolutionary

Known as a leader that played a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s fourteen-year civil war, Leymah Gbowee is a revolutionary figure who changed the role of African women and girls in politics. When the First Liberian Civil War was occurring, Leymah had just become a new mother. She quoted that living through that time had changed her “from a child into an adult within a matter of hours.” She began training to become a social worker and a trauma counselor, believing in women’s role in the next generation of labour and employment to restore peace. This motivated her to establish the Liberia Coordinator of the Women in Peacebuilding Network or WIPNET of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, in an attempt to restore peace in Liberia. She began focusing on organizing Christian women for non-violent protests, and then continued to work with a Muslim partner in WIPNET. This created an interfaith wave for peace known as the Women of Liberal Mass Action for Peace. As she was appointed its spokesperson, she led her women in public protests, one of which resulted in meeting Liberia’s tyrannical President Charles Taylor for peace talks in Accra, Ghana during that time. . She led her people with the goal of applying strategic pressure to the President. During these peace talks, her delegates formed a human barricade, preventing Taylor and his representatives from leaving until they reached a consensus.When the security guards tried to arrest her, she threatened to undress-- an act that would bring a curse upon men according to traditional beliefs. She maintained her position, resulting in Taylor’s ultimate resignation and the signing of a treaty. However, Leymah’s role had just begun. Her presence was requested in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and other major international conferences. She co-founded the Women Peace and Security Network Africa, serving as its Executive Director for 6 years. This non-profit, women-led organization across African nations, was dedicated to motivating strategic participation and leadership in government. She was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her efforts in Liberia. Then, in 2012, Leymah launched the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, a non-profit organization providing leadership development opportunities for women and girls. The impact of these two non-profit organizations is vast and has developed the participation of women and girls in politics. Her never-ending efforts paved the way for a new wave of African women ensuring long-lasting peace and security.