Liberia’s First Woman President
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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Liberia’s first woman president. She was inaugurated on Jan.16,2006. Sirleaf was finance minister to President William Tolbert when he was killed and Doe took over the country.
Image via Wikipedia
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was inaugurated as the first woman president of Liberia on Jan. 16, 2006. When she stood before her people and promised to uphold and defend the constitution, her country had know only corruption and decay since President Tolbert was killed by a 28 year old master Sargent named Samuel Doe 26 years ago. After the take over Doe appeared on television to address the nation wearing his army fatigues and dark sun glasses with a grenade hanging from his belt. Liberia was thrown into such straights by this leader that violence spun out of control into West Africa and devastated the entire country.
Image by US Army Africa via Flickr
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was born Oct.29,1938. She had a generally happy childhood but her father died early on and she was married at 17 to an abusive husband. Due to her upbringing she refused to be a victim and learned to be a strong independent woman. She studied at the University of Colorado in the United States and received her masters from Harvard.
Image via Wikipedia
Sirleaf served as president William Tolbert’s finance minister during the 70’s. She had an uneasy relationship with Doe and and was arrested for criticizing him. President Sirleaf said, Doe was greedy and the people around him got greedy too, and collectively they began to feed off the state like a pack of hyenas,” Sirleaf then, left Liberia to live in Kenya and the U.S. during the 80’s. She supported John Taylor when he came into power but that trust was short lived and she became a very vocal opponent.
Image via Wikipedia
President Reagan presented Liberia as a strong ally and supported Doe’s murderous regime for years. The president invited Doe to the White House in 1982 where he was greeted as”Chairman Moe.” Charles Taylor wrested power from Doe in 1997 and was a brutally efficient recruiter of child soldiers. His commanders gave boys as young as 9 years old drugs, guns, and permission to take anything they wanted by looting, raping, and killing. Strangely enough, former president Jimmy Carter supported Taylor.
http://www.socyberty.com/Web-Talk/President-Roossevelts-Tree-Army.332999
http://www.socyberty.com/People/Charles-and-Emma-Darwin-the-Marriage-of-Science-and-Religion.554789
http://www.socyberty.com/government/The-Bill-of-Rights.76551
20 Comments
Well done and well researched. I enjoyed this very much.
She a very interesting person. Well done on this
Ruby, very eye opening example of who our politicians bed down with and eventually turn ugly to and with, At one time we were ally’s with Saddam Hussein in the Iraq/Iran conflict. Bin Laden in the eighties vs. Russia’s purge to take afghanistan. The list goes on. The whole Afrrican condition is still a mess. If we need to be anywhere helping nations re-build it’s def That continent. But who appointed us to be the policemen of the world? Great article that should revive interest in their internal dilemma’s to eventually achieve some liberty there. I’ve noticed in all these countries the women and children carry the burdens of lifes realities among war. Great piece Ruby.
Well done, Ruby. Can we forget how we helped Castro overthrow Batista?
She’s capable. I remembered there was a great woman in this world, Margaret Thacher (I forgot the spelling), a former Britain president. She was GREAT!!! I admire her a lot! Thanks and liked it.
I am really glad you pointed out that “some” USA presidents supported the evil leaders of other nations… Even Saddam, oh but how quit to hang him before he could reveal too much.
I am really glad you pointed out that some USA presidents supported the evil leaders of other nations… Even Saddam, oh but how quit to hang him before he could reveal too much.
I am really glad you pointed out that some USA presidents supported the evil leaders of other nations… Even Saddam, oh but how quick to hang him before he could reveal too much.
Very informative and very interesting. Like it!
Great article, Ruby. Good day to publish it too, today is the 162nd anniversary of Liberia’s independence.
As always a very interesting well reseached article in a timely manner.excellent work Ruby! The voting doesn’t work for me on this article,not sure about anyone else but it said Ajax error for voting.
As always a very interesting well reseached article in a timely manner.excellent work Ruby! The voting doesn\’t work for me on this article,not sure about anyone else but it said Ajax error for voting.
As always a very interesting well reseached article in a timely manner.excellent work Ruby! The voting doesn\\\’t work for me on this article,not sure about anyone else but it said Ajax error for voting.
Well done.
This is a very interesting and informative article. I hope she makes a good leader.
Many politicians continually show themselves as spineless creeps who will conveniently ignore atrocities for the sake of economics or military advantage.
Then you get the occasional few, like this women who show incredible courage and the will to do what is right – even at the risk of their own personal safety.
Thank you my dear friends, Your comments inspire me to try harder. You are much appreciated and your comments further educate me. You are the best.
Well done. This is partly a reminder to all Liberians who had been through it all. Thanks again.
I love that great African woman.Hear her speak and you will know she is a born leader! thanks for this infor
I remember when she was inaugurated. I saw a couple of interviews and she seems like quite the lady. Haven’t heard much about her since though. I media doesnt’ care about Liberia. Thanks for highlighting it and her! Brian