At my first book signings, when people asked how I got President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to write the Foreword for Redemption Road, I told them I simply asked, and she was happy to do it. Not only does she have an appreciation for literature and the arts, but Liberian women have a tradition of helping each other.
Recently, I saw a clip from President Sirleaf's Inauguration, which I attended in 2006, and was reminded of her promise to all Liberian women: "My administration shall endeavor to give Liberian women prominence in all affairs of our country," she said that day. "We will empower Liberian women in all areas of our national life." Presenting copies of Redemption Road to Her Excellency today, and discussing our hopes for healing the nation through storytelling and drama, was a most uplifting experience. Thank you, Madame President, for your great vision and for a promise kept.
Press Release about our visit on the Executive Mansion website
1 comments:
You know how everybody knows everybody in Liberia? Well my mom, I don't recall how, knows the president. Not as a close friend but as someone whom she was aware of when growing up. My mom is tickled pink that the UN sent beautiful female soldiers to keep peace. I was born in Liberia and my family and I left in 1980. I'm currently reading the book (which my American born brother discovered) about the girl who went to ACS. I went there the last semester before we left but don't remember her. I'd love to find others that lived in Liberia when I did.
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