United Methodist shares Nobel Prize

By Kathy L. Gilbert and Linda Bloom

NASHVILLE (Tennessee) – The President of Liberia, Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is one of three women who were awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their work on women’s rights. The other two are Liberian peace activist Ms Leymah Gbowee and Ms Tawakkol Karman, a Muslim activist for women’s rights and peace and democracy in Yemen.

In 2006, Ms Johnson Sirleaf, a member of First United Methodist Church, Monrovia, Liberia, was the first woman to be elected a head of state in modern Africa. She stood for re-election in October.

She calls herself “Mama Ellen” and has made equality for women a top priority.

In her inauguration speech, she said: “Women have endured injustices and inhumane treatment; yet, it is the women who have laboured and advocated for peace."

Mr Thomas Kemper, top executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, said: “I can think of no one who is more deserving than Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is a powerful example of the impact of women as peace builders.

“Global Ministries has a strong relationship with Liberia on issues of peace … I join United Methodists around the world in congratulating Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman on this extraordinary honour.”

Norwegian Nobel Committee President Thorbjoern Jagland said in his announcement that the three prize winners share the 2011 award "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work”.  

“We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society,” he added.

Ms Karman heads the human rights group Women Journalists Without Chains. Ms Gbowee organised a group of Christian and Muslim women to challenge Liberia’s warlords.