Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Africa's first elected female head of state who transformed post-war Liberia

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (b.1938) steered Liberia through post-civil war recovery as president from 2006-2018. Her administration:

• Secured $4.6 billion in foreign debt relief
• Increased school enrollment by 40%
• Implemented anti-corruption measures through Public Financial Management Reform

Dubbed "Iron Lady" for her fiscal discipline, Sirleaf established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address war crimes while maintaining stability. Her leadership during the 2014 Ebola crisis showcased crisis management capabilities that saved thousands of lives through rapid international coordination.

As founder of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center, she continues to advocate for women's political leadership across Africa. Her memoir This Child Will Be Great chronicles both Liberia's transformation and the challenges of governing in post-conflict societies.