Leymah Gbowee

Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist. She was born in central Liberia in 1972. She organized a women's peace movement that helped end the Second Liberian Civil War. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her nonviolent work for women's safety and rights.

Early Life

Gbowee grew up during a time of civil war in Liberia. She saw terrible violence and destruction. She became a social worker helping children affected by the war. She realized that women needed to come together to demand peace.

Women's Peace Movement

Gbowee organized thousands of women in Liberia, both Christian and Muslim, to pray and protest for peace. The women wore white and staged sit-ins and demonstrations. Their movement pressured the warring factions to agree to peace talks. Their actions helped end the civil war in 2003.

Fun Facts

• Leymah Gbowee organized both Christian and Muslim women to work together for peace.
• She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.
• The documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell tells the story of her peace movement.

Did You Know?

Leymah Gbowee and the women of Liberia threatened to stage a curse if the men at the peace talks did not reach an agreement. The tactic worked, and a peace deal was signed soon after.