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2005 – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Launches Presidential Campaign

On May 2, 2005, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf officially launched her campaign for the presidency of Liberia. A Harvard-educated economist and long-time advocate for development and women’s rights, Sirleaf’s candidacy was a groundbreaking moment in African politics. At a time when Liberia was still recovering from civil war, her campaign brought hope, stability, and international respect. She won the election later that year, becoming the first elected female head of state in Africa. Her leadership ushered in an era of reconstruction and reform, and she became a symbol of female empowerment across the continent. Her campaign’s launch marked a historic milestone, challenging gender norms and laying a path for future women leaders globally.