Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Africa's First Elected Female Head of State Takes Office
January 16, 2006
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard-trained banker, survivor of Liberia's brutal politics and atwo-time political prisoner, became Liberia's president and Africa's first elected female head of state. For the 14 years prior to her election, Liberia has been engaged in a civil war.
President Johnson-Sirleaf, in her acceptance speech, vowed to end Liberia’s history of corrupt, brutal rule.
In an interview before the inauguration, with the NY Times writer Lydia Polgreen, Ms. Johnson Sirleaf said she embraces the feminine roles as part of her appeal, though she is also known as Liberia's Iron Lady from her years in opposition politics, which included two stints as a political prisoner.
"The Iron Lady of course that comes from the toughness of many years of being a professional in a male-dominated world," Ms. Johnson Sirleaf said. "But also the many young people we have here, and the suffering I have seen, and the despair and lack of hope, brought out the motherliness in me, and that is where the Ma Ellen comes from."
The tough and tender combination has won women new respect in the increasingly democratic political scene in Africa. Once dominated by male autocrats, many African countries now have women in top positions and several are poised to join Ms. Johnson Sirleaf at the pinnacle of power.
Women from across the continent flocked to Monrovia to celebrate her victory.
"I would have swam here," said Abena P. A. Busia, an English professor who came from Ghana for the inauguration.
full article: http://nytimes.com/2006/01/16/international/africa/16cnd-liberia.html?hp&ex=1137474000&en=31e4fbd87b3fb55b&ei=5094&partner=homepage
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