Research Topics: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf also known as the “Iron Lady” was born on October 29, 1938. She is the current president of Liberia and considered as the world’s first elected black female president and also the Africa’s first elected female head of the nation. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was named as the 51st most powerful women in the world (Anonymous, 1). The “Iron Lady” was born in Monrovia, Liberia. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf ahs played an important role in the civil conflicts in which she denies being a part of the elite group. She gains her education at the College of West Africa in Monrovia and continued her studies at the University of Colorado in 1961.               Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has made many contributions in line with politics. She started her political career when she worked as Minister of Finance (1972-1973). However, because of the disagreement in public agreement she left her position.  During this time, Liberia was under the power of one-party which became more polarised for the benefit of the Americo-Liberian elite. On April 12, 1980, Master Sergeant Samuel Kayon Doe has been able to seized the power in a military coup and the Liberian leader (William Tolbert) was executed via a firing squad along with several cabinet members.               As the People’s Redemption Council under Samuel Doe controls the country, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has managed to escape and go to Kenya.  She served as Director of Citibank in Nairobi from 1983 to 1985. However, when Samuel Doe declared himself as the president of the Republic of Liberia in 1984 and disbanded different political parties, Johnson-Sirleaf returned to the country. During the 1985 elections, the Iron Lady campaigned against Samuel Doe which was placed her under house arrest.               Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was sentenced to ten years imprisonment but only spend short time in the jail before being allowed to leave Liberia once again as an exile.  During 1980s, she served as Vice President of both (HSCB) Equator Bank in Washington and African Regional Office of Citibank, in Nairobi.          She also served as Assistant Administrator from 1992-1997 and then became the Director of the UN Development Program Regional Bureau for Africa. During that time, Liberia has been under an interim government lead by a succession of four-unelected government officials but in 1996, the presence of West African negotiators created a lull in the civil war and has been able to run an election (Price, 1).                         In 1997, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf returned to Liberia to become part of the election. However, she came second to Charles Taylor which gains 75% of the vote out of 14 candidates. Such election was declared free and fair by the international observers.  Johnson-Sirleaf played an essential role in the transitional government as the country prepared for the election in 2005. She takes office after the controversial reign of President Charles Taylor who has been accused as a corrupt public official and accused of being connected with Al-Qaeda.  After experiencing many lost in gaining power, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had never loses hope and became the president of Liberia which happened as she took the presidency in January 16, 2006 (Gberie, 1).               Being the President, she made many contributions for her country and her constituents. With her election, the spirits of all those who believe in equality of gender has been lifted. Her devotion on her country and her good intentions had lead her from where she is right now. A true leader indeed, she never gives up from all the experiences that she had before she achieves her goal (Chappell, 124).               Johnson-Sirleaf, has vowed to cultivate closer and tight relationship with the United States. Although she was known as the Iron Lady, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf doesn’t run from her femininity. She embraces it and hopes to use this for being more sensitive as a leader.  Part of her achievement as a president is she instituted the tough reform agenda which includes the revision of many political, economic and social programs and practices within Liberia. She is a very optimistic leader. With her enthusiasm and determination, Liberia is considered to be under a leader who will nurture them as a mother but with tough strength.     Reference Chappell, Kevin, Africa’s Historic ‘First’: President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf The Continent’s First Elected Female Head of State Is Poised to Turn Things around in Liberia. Ebony, 1 (6), 2006.   Anonymous, The 100 Most Powerful Women, 2006 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/11/06women_Ellen-Johnson- Sirleaf_BMW8.html>   Gberie, Lansana, Liberia: New Hope for a Troubled Region; Lansana Gberie on What the Election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Is Likely to Do to Liberia and the West African Region as a Whole, New Africa, 447, 2006.   Price, Stuart, and Jarwalah Tonpo, Liberia: A Lesson for Africa’s Big Men. New African, 446, 2005.   
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Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf also known as the “Iron Lady” was born on October 29, 1938. She is the current president of Liberia ...