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Johnson Sirleaf, 70, is a groundbreaker on her own continent as the first democratically elected female head of state. A former international banking executive, she suffered political imprisonment in the Republic of Liberia and subsequent exile in the U.S. before running for her country's highest office in 2005. Running as an agent of change, she beat popular soccer star George Weah at the polls and took the oath of office in 2006. At the time, the country was still recovering from years of bloody civil war that included the use of child soldiers in both government and opposition forces.
Since then, with the help of the U.N. peacekeepers who have provided security in Liberia since 2003, Johnson Sirleaf has fostered stability and economic growth. She has this advice for Sen. Barack Obama as he attempts to make history as the first black U.S. president. "He should stand for all the things he believes in, and not be deterred by all the advice he gets [to the contrary]," she told Black Voices in New York City, where she picked up a leadership award from the microfinancing nonprofit Opportunity International on Wednesday. "He's running on a mandate for change and he should see that the changes do come. Stay with it."
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf speaks at a luncheon on gender equality and empowerment of women Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 at United Nations headquarters in New York. (AP Photo/David Karp)
AP
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, left, speaks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf at a Women Leaders' Working Group breakfast hosted by Rice in New York Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008. (AP Photo/David Karp)
AP
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L), Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (3rd L), Coca-Cola Chairman E. Neville Isdell (3rd R), Bono (2nd R) and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore (R) listen to Jordan's Queen Rania during the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York, September 24, 2008. Established by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2005, the event is designed to bring donors together with people in need to try to solve global problems. REUTERS/Chip East (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L), Jordan's Queen Rania (2nd L), Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (3rd L), Coca-Cola Chairman E. Neville Isdell (3rd R), Bono (2nd R) and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore participate at the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York September 24, 2008. Established by former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2005, the event is designed to bring donors together with people in need to try to solve global problems. REUTERS/Chip East (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Former President Clinton, left, moderates as, from left, Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Coca-Cola Chairman E. Neville Isdell, singer Bono and former Vice President Al Gore participate in the opening plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
AP
Singer Bono, center, greets Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, left, and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as he is introduced during the opening plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) speaks during the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) September 24, 2008 in New York City. Attending the event from left: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, CEO of Coca-Cola E. Neville Isdell, musician Bono, and former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore. President Clinton is hosting the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a gathering of politicians celebrities, philanthropists and business leaders grouped together to discuss pressing global issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Nike Foundation President Maria Eitel, left, and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf pose with former President Bill Clinton after announcing a commitment before the opening plenary of the Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting Wednesday, Sept 24, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) speaks during the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) September 24, 2008 in New York City. Attending the event from left: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, CEO of Coca-Cola E. Neville Isdell, musician Bono, and former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore. President Clinton is hosting the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a gathering of politicians celebrities, philanthropists and business leaders grouped together to discuss pressing global issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (L) speaks during the opening session of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) September 24, 2008 in New York City. Attending the event from left: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, CEO of Coca-Cola E. Neville Isdell, musician Bono, and former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore. President Clinton is hosting the fourth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), a gathering of politicians celebrities, philanthropists and business leaders grouped together to discuss pressing global issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Johnson Sirleaf heads a West African republic that was established in 1847 by people who had been enslaved in America. Mindful of the connection, she had this message for the Black Voices audience: "Liberia has its roots in this country, and if there's any group that should be the advocates for Liberia, it's the African-American group. They should be our constituency in America and should rise to the challenge. It's beginning to happen, and we'll keep encouraging it."
What should we be advocating for? Johnson Sirleaf was in New York to press the international community to support the continued presence of the U.N. peacekeepers, as well to press those nations that have pledged economic aid to make good on their promises. In an address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday she told world leaders that Liberia's recent economic and political gains--including 9 percent GDP growth for each of the last two years--could be jeopardized if all of the money pledged to her country is not delivered. In 2005 wealthy G8 nations, including the U.S., pledged $25 billion in additional aid to Africa by 2010. Thus far, less than 15 percent of that amount has been delivered. The recent chaos in world financial markets decreases the likelihood there will be payment in full.
The bottom line is, "There must be a short road between pledges or commitment and delivery or cash," she told the General Assembly.
Comments: (39)
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By: Eugene on 9/27/2008 8:57AM
I have been re inspired after reading this blog, especially becoming more involed in the solution of changing the condition in the black community. Creating a common tread that bring alike minded people together sharing talents for free, to those less fortunate.Creating jobs,security in the community,educating each other on the needs not the wants in our communities.weither OBAMA gets in the white house or not we the people still have a cause greater than any one person,don't get me wrong I LOVE what OBAMA stands for and inspires in me,but the change is up to us.!!!!!
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By: Marcus Malcolm Martin Mandela on 9/28/2008 10:57AM
I believe using common sense that the enlightened people of the world are finally and absolutely tired as hell of the multinational corporations, World Bank, IMF and other charlatans based in the US, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, China and from within the other beastly, spurious, and unscrupulous copy cat descendents of Pharoah, Ceasar, and Satan himself.
They are fed up with the constant CIA-DIA-KGB-like interference with and eyeballing of: their people, their lives, their liberty, and their worship syles, their economies and political apparatus, their lands, their air space and territorial waters, and their natural resources [including potable water]. They know this goes on constantly and is done so with the sole intention of one day swindling, cheating, or attacking, occupying, and exploiting them out of same -- all in the name of insatiable GREED.
In other words, if you have energy or useful natural resources look out. The Devil is coming.
Not to worry, change is on the way. Run Obama, run!
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By: Ann on 9/27/2008 10:01PM
You are all welcome to return to your Homeland, as I am sure there are 1001 democrats that will donate the funds to get you there....I am one!!!!!!!!!! Recall folks that your Chiefs sold you for gold beads!
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By: marsha on 9/27/2008 10:23PM
Reading these blogs have brought tears to my eyes,literally. I find in reading these comments so many of us want the best. We all have so much in common. My prayer is for blacks/african americans to stop fighting with one another. Stop killing one another. Stop hating on one another. Sistas stop having ill feelings towards another sista simply because what she looks like, or what she has. Brothas, stop playa hatin' on your brotha because of what he drives, the girl, wife, love of his life may look like. We are the only race who don't really have one anothers back.
The chinese open up all kinds of shops, and who will you normally find working in those shops...more chinese. The whites. Hell,just look at what is going on in this election. Senator McCain know goodness well he isn't playing right. He knows that he's very much attached to George W. Bush. Maverick, my a**. Republicans know that Sarah Paline don't know jack. She isn't equipped enough to run this country. TRUST ME THEY KNOW. But, because of who they are...they have nothing but good things to say about this lady who proudly said on television,"I can see Russia from my house." Despite her dingy blonde ways, those folks are standing behing McCain and Paline.
*WHEN ARE WE AS AFRICAN AMERICANS GOING TO GET IT!
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By: Dee Dee Brown on 9/28/2008 11:56AM
Amen to the comments of Muriel Burrows.
Senator Obama is being attacked on all sides but God will prevail and he will be become the first African American President of the United States. The devil is working ovetime but God is in the house!
I feel that McClain is suffering (mentally) from the results of being a POW. Think about it. When he was in Iran he thought he was in Iraq. He did not know what country he was in! The man is ill.
Be Blessed And Pass On The Blessings,
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By: lord_nikon on 9/28/2008 11:33PM
Reign. You are correct. So I say This to you and everyone else. "lets Continue the Chapter". We have a continent waiting for our expertise and guidance. Once this is achieve, we will no longer be considered homeless.
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By: George Hewes on 9/29/2008 9:57AM
we need Leaders for our Time and for te Future,Mccain is From The past it is good at times to be Nostogic in the Arts.. but not in these times the world has Changed Mc cain Has not. He cant even send an Email? He is Good at SHUFFLE BOARD, But then he has to keep out of the Sun,
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By: joanne on 9/30/2008 4:51PM
i chime in with the voice of OBAMA!OBAMA!OBAMA...GET OUT THERE AND VOTE AND LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR...CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN...YES WE CAN BOUNCE RIGHT BACK UP...DUST OFF AND KEEP GOING!!!!
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By: pat on 9/30/2008 10:22PM
Does CNN know about this great woman of courage and her advice to Obama? Someone nees to clue them in. Of course it won't be as sensational as Jeremiah Wright.
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