MHOP leaders meet Africa’s first elected female head-of-state, President Sirleaf of Liberia!

• Sep 19, 2008 Posted by Caitlin Cohen
  Julie Siwicki and I visited the home of Brown University President Ruth Simmons’ today to meet the President of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.  It is quite a thing to be introduced to your biggest heroes by another idol! (And they actually look a little like each other, as well).
  
  After threats to her life, two long stays in exile, and being charged with treason, President Sirleaf became the first elected female head-of-state in Africa.  On top of that, she is now in charge of rebuilding a nation after 14 years of civil war.  And the rest of us think our jobs are hard!
  
  President Sirleaf won the vote in 2005 in Liberia by mobilizing female supporters and quadrupling the number of women registered to vote. She is an inspiration to us all, a testament to the unbelievable power of an iron will.  
  
  Julie and I are extremely honored to have had this opportunity. I am flipping through photos now of our women leaders in Mali, trying to guess which of them will be the next Iron Lady.  I have no doubt that one of them could be president.  And if not this time, I am sure that they will mobilize women to pick the next president.
  
  Thank you, President Simmons and President Sirleaf.
  
  - Caitlin Cohen
   Co-founder and U.S. Director
  
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