Leymah Gbowee

Biographical Information

"A Social Worker by Profession, Leymah has over ten years been a Case Worker and Peacebuilding Practitioner. She is presently the Executive Director of Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa).As a Case Worker; she worked with the Ministry of Health Displaced Shelter as a Counsellor for refugees from September 1995 to March 1996, LCL/LWF/WS Trauma Programme from May 1998 to March 2003.

"She was also the Liberian Programme Coordinator for Women in Peacebuilding(WANEP) from December 2001 to December 2005.She also worked as a Commissioner Designate for Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission from February 2004 to October 2005.From June 2006 to May 2007, she was a Regional Consultant for Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa).In July 2007, she was appointed the Executive Director of the said company.

"In recognition of her role in the Liberian Peace Process, the Women's Leadership Board of the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University gave its 2007 Blue Ribbon Award to her. She is the central character of a documentary entitled "Pray the Devil Back to Hell", a file accepted into the Tribeca Film Festival which will take place from April 24 to May 4, 2008 in New York. She will also be honoured by The White House Project on April 17, 2008 and by the E-Women news on May 21, 2008 as one of the 21st century leaders. She is the guest of honour for the Global Fund for Women 2008 gala.

"Ms. Gbowee holds a MA in Conflict Transformation from the Eastern Mennonite University and is a mother of five." Waging Nonviolence article