Nobel Peace Prize

Leymah Gbowee

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 was awarded on Friday to three women--two from Africa and one from the Arab world--"in acknowledgment of their nonviolent role in promoting peace, democracy and gender equality. The winners were President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia — Africa’s first elected female president — her compatriot, peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakul Karman of Yemen, a pro-democracy campaigner.    

They were the first women to win the prize since Kenya’s Wangari Maathai, who died last month, was named as the laureate in 2004." Alan Cowell, London 

Congratulations to these courageous women of peace. We applaud you!

peaceful protesters

Hillary Clinton said this about the women:

"They are shining examples of the difference that women can make and the progress they can help achieve when given the opportunity to make decisions about the future of their societies and countries.

The unflinching courage, strength and leadership of these women to build peace, advance reconciliation, and defend the rights of fellow citizens in their own countries provide inspiration for women's rights and human progress everywhere. This recognition of their extraordinary accomplishments reflects the efforts of many other women who are promoting peace and security in their countries and communities. I want to commend the Nobel Committee for recognizing the powerful role women are playing in building peace and ending conflict around the world."


For more on the story of the women of Liberia go to this link:

http://www.becomingwomenofpeace.com/2011/07/women-of-liberia.html