Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made history as Africa’s first democratically elected female president. She became president after a devastating civil war and led a process of nation-building and reconciliation. In 2011, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her non-violent efforts to promote peace and for her struggle for women’s rights, alongside Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman.

Sirleaf spent twelve years as Liberia’s president, and after leaving office she founded the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development to expand women’s leadership across Africa. She has continued to serve globally on issues of governance, accountability, and public health including co-chairing the WHO panel on pandemic preparedness