By Danlette G. Washington
Women’s Equality Day was designated to celebrate the rights and achievements of women.
For many years, women were prohibited from voting, leadership roles, owning properties, making the same wage as a man, and more.
According to the National Women’s History Alliance, “Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting the right to vote to women. The amendment was first introduced in 1878. In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.”
Today, we want to highlight some of the Liberian women who have broken the barriers, fought and contributed to the rights of women in politics, business, leadership and more.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the presidential seat in Liberia in 2005 and won again in 2011.
For over 100 years since the founding of Liberia in 1822, men were always elected as heads of state in Africa. Despite the dominance of men in the political space in Liberia, the former president was not deterred; she took on the courage to contest for the highest seat in the nation.
Today, she is known globally as “Africa’s Iron Lady.”
Been a survivor of rape in a men’s led society, Sirleaf advocated for the protection of young girls and rape victims in Liberia.
Mydea Reeves-Karpeh is First Elected Female President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA).
She served the Union diligently from 1999 to 2002.
Mae Azango is a Liberian journalist and Women’s Right Advocate.
She is known for reporting stories on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Due to her constant reports and advocacy on the issue, FGM was suspended in Liberia.
She was awarded the International Press Freedom Award of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Lisa Daisy is a Liberian journalist and women and Girls advocate. Lisa has dedicated her career to reporting stories that highlight women empowerment and equal opportunity for women in leadership and political space.
She launched WOMEN TV-LIBERIA, an online news media platform to ensure equal voices for women and marginalized groups in society.
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