Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is the first female President of Liberia. She assumed office on January 16,2006. Johnson-Sirleaf is a member of the Unity Party that originated in 1984.http://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-ellen-johnsonsirleaf-5_2258228018776375296_4

Ellen Johnson was born in Monrovia, Liberia on October 29, 1938. She attended the College of West Africa from 1948 to 1955, studying economics and accounting. When she was only 17 years old she married James Sirleaf; together they had four sons before they divorced and have six grandchildren. Johnson-Sirleaf went to the United States in 1961 to continue her education earning a degree from the University of Colorado. Later she attended Harvard from 1969-1971, earning a Masters degree in Public Administration. She returned to Liberia to begin her work in government.http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1972-1973: Secretary of State for Finance in William R Tolbert's administration, she left after one year due to a disagreement about spendinghttp://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1979-1980: Minister of Finance

1980: April 12 President Tolbert and several cabinet members were killed by firing squad, Johnson-Sirleaf was lucky to escape execution, choosing exile in Kenyahttp://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1983-1985: Director of Citibank, Nairobi>http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1985: While running for Senate she spoke against the military regime, she was put on house arrest; later she was sentenced to 10 years in prison. After serving a short time in prison she was allowed to leave the country, to be exiled again.http://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-ellen-johnsonsirleaf-5_2258228018776375296_4

1986-1992: Vice-president and member of the Executive Board of Equator Bank, Washington http://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-ellen-johnsonsirleaf-5_2258228018776375296_4

1992-1997: Assistant Administrator, then Director of the United Nations Development Program Regional Bureau for Africa >http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1996: West African peacekeepers presence allows for a slowing of the civil war allowing for an opportunity to hold elections>http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1997: Standard Bearer of Unity Party

1997: Johnson-Sirleaf returns to Liberia to run for president, comes in second to Charles Taylor>http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

1997: Due to statements made during her campaign for president, Johnson-Sirleaf was charged with treason>http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

2004-2005: Chairperson of the Commission on Good Governancehttp://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-ellen-johnsonsirleaf-5_2258228018776375296_4

2005: Unity Party standard bearer and presidential candidatehttp://www.silobreaker.com/biography-for-ellen-johnsonsirleaf-5_2258228018776375296_4

2005: Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission enacted by Parliament to investigate gross human rights violations that took place from January 1979 and October 14, 2003

2005: Johnson-Sirleaf wins the election but George Manneh Weah protests, causing an investigation, November 23 she was declared winner>http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

2006: January 16 Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf sworn in as president >http://africanhistory.about.com/od/liberia/p/Sirleaf.htm

2007: Receives the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom (highest civilian award) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Johnson-Sirleaf

2009: Johnson-Sirleaf, admits to being misled by Taylor as to the need for war, in front of the Commission on Liberia's Truth and Reconciliationhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043500.stm

One of Johnson-Sirleaf's main concerns is to see her country rebuilt after years of civil unrest to achieve social equity and an equal opportunity for Liberian's to have a successful life. She also wants to see the lot of Liberian women improved. Johnson-Sirleaf has said she wants to be able to bring peace and security to all. She hopes to improve the education and job opportunities of their youth, to help keep them from feeling the need to rebel, bringing more hostility to the country. There is a great deal of infrastructure rebuilding that faces the nation. She hopes to be able to attract private capital and investment to the country in an effort to create needed jobs. She is vividly aware of the nations poverty level and the need to make the country self sufficient in food production.http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/newsletters/IFPRIForum/200603/IF14Johnson-Sirleaf.asp

The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission inaugurated in February of 2006 by President Johnson-Sirleaf to investigate human rights violations between January 1979 and October 14, 2003. Since taking office, President Johnson-Sirleaf has publicly supported the commission. http://www.ictj.org/en/news/press/release/960.html One of the findings of the commission was that President Johnson-Sirleaf and others should not be allowed to hold political office for 30 years. The recommendations were not that they should be removed from office, but not allowed to run again for 30 years after their current term of office has expired.http://allafrica.com/stories/200907240446.html