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    October 07, 2011

Sirleaf 'Humbled' By Peace Prize

   VOA News | Monrovia
   Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia, October 7, 2011
   Photo: REUTERS
   Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in Monrovia, October 7, 2011

   Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says she felt "humbled" by her
   Nobel Peace Prize recognition, but welcomed the honor as recognition of
   a long struggle to achieve peace in her West African nation.
   She spoke to VOA's James Butty Friday in Monrovia:

                                                      [Sirleaf interview:]

   'I'm very excited. I'm very thankful. And I'm also humbled to have this
   award. I believe it is recognition of my many years of struggle,"
   Sirleaf said. "But I also believe it is recognition of the Liberian
   people's quest for peace. And the fact that the past 8 years they have
   all collectively maintained the peace.
   "I particularly want to talk about Liberian women. I am getting this
   award with Leymah Gbowee. And Leymah Gbowee is very deserving because
   she mobilized women to challenge a dictatorship - market women, rural
   women, professional woman, church women - and they sat in the rain and
   the sun for days advocating for peace.
   "We owe it to African women and we can just recommit to working harder
   for equal opportunity for all women to reach their potential. I hope we
   become the role models and that that will motivate and inspire women
   the world over to go for leadership, to take a greater role in their
   societies.
   "I'm just honored. I am so grateful.'

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