September 14, 2022
The Interfaith Peace Project will observe this year’s International Day of Peace by sending out a reflection each day from September 10 through September 21. Today is the fourth reflection. If you miss any reflections, you will find them on our website: interfaithpeaceproject. org.
We will continue our ongoing observance of the International Day after September 21, by sending out a reflection on the twenty-first of every month. We invite you to share in this effort by sending any articles or information that you would like to share to:
Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P
[email protected]
925-787-9279
CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 10 – 21, 2022
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Liberia
Profile
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first woman in Africa elected as president of her country. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her efforts to bring women into the peacekeeping process. Ellen’s notable contributions were in finance, economics and politics. She completed her higher education degrees in the United States, where she studied at Madison Business College and Harvard University. After her education in the US, she returned to Liberia, her home country, and served in William Tobert’s government as Deputy Minister of Finance 1971-1974. Later, she worked for the World Bank in the Caribbean and Latin America. In 1979, she received a cabinet appointment as Minister of Finance serving to 1980. In 1980, Samuel Doe seized power in a coup d’etat and executed Tolbert. Ellen fled Liberia to the United States. She returned to Liberia in 1985 to contest a senatorial seat in a disputed election. She was arrested due to her open criticism of the military government and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. She was later released and continued to be involved in politics. In 1997 she ran for president and finished second to Charles Taylor. She ran again for president and won in 2005. Ellen was re-elected in 2011. She received numerous awards for her leadership. In 2016 she was elected as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States, the first woman to hold this office.
Ellen’s Words of Wisdom
“Ethnicity should enrich us; it should make us a unique people in our diversity and not to divide us.”
“We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all the civil and political rights that belong to all citizens be guaranteed to us and our daughters.”
“There will always be those who will tear us down and tear us apart because they want the status quo to remain. But together we can break down the barriers that have kept women from achieving the equity they rightfully deserve.”
To view Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s TED Talk How women will lead us to freedom,
justice and peace on youtube click here or go to
Reflection
There is not much difference between courage and peace.
Peace of mind and heart makes courage possible.
Great people find peace in the oasis of their hearts
for the sake of blessing others.
Who will you bless today with your inner peace and great courage?
SOURCES
Randy Thomas
Wikipedia
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