BLOG: Leymah Gbowee Recalls Liberian Women's Struggle for Peace

Ten years ago on this day, a few of us—sick and tired of the Liberian civil war—joined forces and started the women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace Campaign. We had three major agenda items:

1. Immediate unconditional ceasefire
2. A fruitful dialogue by the warring parties and
3. The deployment of an intervention force.

Ten years today, we can say we were successful; not only did we achieve the three agenda items, we also achieved an unprecedented bonus: Africa's first female President.

Looking back ten years ago, today, I sit in my bedroom, thinking about the many mothers from rural communities who joined the fight for peace. Some have gone on to the other world whilst others are still around lending their voices to the issues of peace and social justice at their local communities' level.

The lessons of commitment, dedication and hard work will never be forgotten. The passion with which they came every morning, even in their moments of pains, I will never forget. The joy with which they celebrated the peace and the hope for a brighter future for their children is etched into my memory forever.

The world hailed and continues to hail the Liberian women as our story is one of the most quoted and sort after. We can proudly say we made history, we did the unimaginable; we can proudly say we contributed to the peace that Liberians enjoy today.

As we look back on women's nonviolent push for peace through the Mass Action Campaign, I would like to use this occasion to pay tribute to one of those women whose name may never be written in the history books of Liberia Ma Tornopele Beyan. Ma Beyan sadly died this morning.

She epitomized commitment in a cause like many of the other women; not lettered but educated in the ways and doctrine of peace. Her faith in God and in his power to use anyone to achieve his purpose was unshakeable. She was one of the pillars of strength for me in those moments and hours when non-violent activism didn't make sense to me.

She never judged, she never screamed, but used her quiet voice of wisdom to calm the storm of confusion and argument. Sunday afternoon, I stood at the foot of her hospital bed and watched her lay there with an oxygen tank, motionless and speechless, oblivious to the world around her. I smiled fondly remembering her telling me, “If God could call Rahab, the prostitute to accomplish his purpose, who are you to refuse his call?” Ma Beyan, like many more of my old ladies, have fought the good fight. They have finished their course and they are now on the journey to the Master to receive the crown rewarded to Peace Makers.

Ten years on, the task of solidifying Liberia's fragile peace is still on hand, the task of rebuilding the women's movement is still at hand. Most importantly, the task of staying true to our individual calling is of utmost importance.

What have you been called to do? How are you carrying out this call?

By Leymah Gbowee,
Nobel Peace Laureate