Women's History Month: Leymah Gbowee

Writer: Amari Jones

“You can never leave footprints that last if you are always walking on tiptoe.” – Leymah Gbowee

Leymah Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her political efforts in Liberia’s Second Civil War. Tired of the violence ravaging her country, she started a movement that brought together Muslim and Christian women called the Liberian Mass Action for Peace. Their organization revealed to the international community how important it is for women to be involved in the peacemaking process, and how women are essential in creating sustainable peace. The women would dress in white t-shirts and stage sit-ins on President Charles Taylor's route in an effort to get a meeting with him. They also demonstrated their dissatisfaction against the war through prayer, fasting, and peaceful protesting at markets and government buildings. The Liberian Mass Action for Peace is directly responsible for successful negotiations between the two warring groups from the civil war. They prevailed even when the United Nations failed.

“Don't wait for a Gandhi, don't wait for a King, don't wait for a Mandela. You are your own Mandela, you are your own Gandhi, you are your own King.” – Leymah Gbowee

Gbowee has dedicated her life to peace and served as a commissioner for Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and she is also one of the founding members of the Women Peace and Security Network–Africa. She is an inspiration because even where there was no space for her, she made her own. She is incredibly humble and does not feel like she did anything extraordinary, but her desire for peace was so great that she and a few other women were able to garner the support of almost 80% of the Liberian women population, and because of their actions it led to the first woman to be elected as president. Thank you, Leymah Gbowee, for all your efforts and sacrifices you have contributed not only to the people of Liberia but to people across the world.