This Child Will be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Woman President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf In January 2006, after the Republic of Liberia had been racked by fourteen years of brutal civil conflict, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Africa's "Iron Lady" - was sworn in as president, an event that marked a tremendous turning point in the history of the West African nation. In this stirring memoir, Sirleaf shares the inside story of her rise to power, including her early childhood; her experiences with abuse, imprisonment, and exile; and her fight for democracy and social justice. This compelling tale of survival reveals Sirleaf's determination to succeed in multiple worlds: from her studies in the United States to her work as an international bank executive to her election campaigning in some of Liberia's most desperate and war-torn villages and neighborhoods. It is also the story of an outspoken political and social reformer who, despite danger, fought the oppression of dictators and championed change. By sharing her story, Sirleaf encourages women everywhere to pursue leadership roles at the highest levels of power, and gives us all hope that, with perseverance, we can change the world. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the president of Liberia, began her groundbreaking career in the 1970s, when she became Liberia's first woman minister of finance. After the military coup of 1980, she served as president of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment. […] […] She has received several awards, including the United States Presidential Medal of freedom, the higher civilian honor bestowed by an American president. […]