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What might make a government run by women different from a government run by men? Share your thoughts and your reaction to IRON LADIES OF LIBERIA.
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I just watched the film last night on PBS and i have to say im so proud of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. She is an inspiration to all women with her smart,assertive, yet motherly style of leadership. I hope she succeeds in uniting Liberia and improving Liberia's economy.
If I had my own way in this world, Mother Johnson will go back for the second term. She is the only president I know in Africa that has created a website for the Liberian citizen and all people to voice their opinion on issue of importance to them or others. She has also created a time spot called conversation with the president, this is the time people call and speak with the president on issues they feel important to the Liberian.
But i see one thing some people here in America are doing to her is not good, to me , they are trying to make her Government looks bad. Take this as an example. Mother Johnson came to America in May of 2007, she met with the billionaire Robert Johnson, who influence to facilitate the resumption of direct flight from USA to Liberia. During this time, the Delta Airline Chairman, Mr. James Whitehurst said that before that happened, certain condition must be met at the airport in Liberia, the Airport must be upgraded to International standard. At this point, the FAA of America disclosed that the amount of $3.4million has been provided through USAID to upgrade RIA in Liberia. USAID the started searching for contractor to start the upgrade.
Since then, I have not seen anything new at RIA yet. What is going on with the upgrade?CAN SOMEBODY ASK USAID ABOUT THIS?
I was excited to learn about President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the film only heightened my interest. It was excellent. She is definitely an Iron Lady and needs to be under the circumnstances. I respect her no nonsense, straightforward approach, particularly when she dealt with the former rebel soldiers who rallied outside her office demanding pay. I thought that her response to their demands was honest and courageous. The police chief was also wonderful; while she has a tough side she also exhibits a human quality. Who said women aren't good leaders? They have not met Mama Sirleaf and the other Iron Ladies. Keep up the excellent work Independent Lense!
This program is PBS at its very best. It is a must see for dictators and would-be dictators who, unlike President Ellen Johnson, opt for the less challenging and much-trodden path of tyranny when faced with the difficulties of hewning a democratic society out of the ravages of war and other forms of social destabilization. This program should also serve as a caveat for those in the West who, from the comfort of centuries of democratic tradition, are often so quick to judge and condemn other societies who are still struggling to implement and safeguard these ideals. Like a child learning to walk they should be encouraged with every faltering step, not criticized at every turn.
Just wanted to commend the person responsible for this film being made. The president of Liberia is truly a strong woman. I will be in prayer for her and her countrymen. she has many obstacles to overcome, yes but she will be fine. Once the people of Africa learn to work together they can accomplish many things that tried to hold them back. If more documentaries were made about the accomplishments of a people other than glamorizing violence maybe hope can be seen rather than placing the emphasis of a defeated people. there are some people that try to keep hope alive and are not concerned with what the opressors say. I am a true believer of what God has for me it is for me.
I just watched this show early this morning on PBS. I hope that Ellen Johnson Sirleaf succeeds in turning Liberia around.
Iron Ladies of Liberia is very informative. Women who have done most of the hard chores such have the chance to make the changes for their country.
Firestone Corporation segment should be an emabarassment for any American. For an American Corporation fail to provide clean and decent housing when it would quite easy to make happen is a true travesty. Firestone is a poor ambassador for the United States. They should be sited and held accountable.
I was very moved by this film. I am not a metallurgist and know little about iron, but my sense is that iron is strong, but also unbending. It's therefore the wrong descriptor of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. My sense of her leadership is that it is clear, focused, thoughtful and intelligent--and at the same time, she knows that she needs to give on some things, compromise on others, accept the advice of some who know more about a particular thing, and live with the consequences. The scenes with the Firestone owners and the workers exemplify all of these qualities. She knew that she couldn't get the 37.5% increase and she knew that she would get flak for that; she told the truth and dealt with the consequences. What a wonderful inspiration she is. My hope is that other leaders will follow her example--especially in telling the truth, with the understanding that "we're all in this together".
A big loud BRAVO to the film-makers. Thank you!
Iron Ladies of Liberia was inspriational. I often sit here on my couch watching the injustices of the world feeling powerless and doing nothing. In watching Iron Ladies I was ashamed of myself thinking of what one fearless woman, President Sirleaf could do.
I was particuarly moved by President Sirleaf's address to the Firestone workers. The hope which turned to despair broke my heart. I would like to support the Firestone workers and start a boycott of Firestone until the workers get a 38% raise (is that enough) schooling for their kids and medical care.
I am a huge fan of independent lens.The Iron ladies of Liberia left me with such a hope for Africa as a whole.Although I am not Liberian,I am an african and I have always been pretty discouraged by the many political leaders on the continent.To see a leader who seems sincerely driven to make a differance for the people and the political process as a whole, reawakens some sort of hope in me.Lady Ellen is a leader who was sorely needed.She is so real. Her ability to sit with international leaders and talk politics and then speak to the common man with such a familiarity filled me with admiration for her dream for Liberia.I wish that it was a two or more part series.It was an awesome job.Thank you.
Watching "Iron Ladies of Liberia" during my Easter dinner on March 23, 2008 5:30 PM made my celebration. This country was a country our government, surprisingly, could help.
The lady Liberian President said in her office "today Liberians can walk with pride and dignity." Liberia had known 14 years of war. Over coming the war returned their pride and dignity.
What did U.S. do to help over come Liberias problems? The U.S. brought relief to Liberia of it's financial debts to U.S. Furthemore, Bush pledged on going U.S." support for Liberia".
Lastly, one should notice that it was a woman who led Liberia for the first time in all of Africa. It was a woman who returned the Liberian police to law and order.
Very fine program. Thank you. However, Liberia was not established by freed slaves, but by free blacks, those who had been born free. If you look at the annual reports of the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Color of the United States (known opularly as the American Colonization Society) it will be clear that the intent of the Society was to rid the U.S. of free Negroes. The first ships to carry American blacks to Liberia had NO freed slaves, but freeborn Negroes. See Tom Shick, Emigrants to Liberia, which contains the ships passenger lists, stating the civil status of each passenger. Liberians are themselves unaware of this history, as they are taught from books written by Americans.
I remember Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from the time I was in Liberia (from 1980 to 1986). Her courage and thoughtful intelligence impressed me deeply, especially the way she kept her cool in spite of her being arrested by the brutal military government of Samuel K. Doe who came to power through a bloody military coup.
I was glad when she was released from jail at the demand of the international community, and I am glad now that she is truly legitimate, democratically elected president of Liberia!
The documentary shows frankly how tough it is in Liberia after the civil war, but Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is tough too, though, also motherly. I salute her and Liberia!
- Ludmila Hena
This is a great documentary. It is truly inspiring and shows what can be done if you put your best effort forward. The President has so little to work with and so many challenges before her. She is doing a great job to pull the country together. This story really touched my heart. To the film-maker please keep up the great work
One year ago, we had the priviledge of having a Methodist District Superintendent from Liberia in our home-------there was an "instant" bonding between Jerome, my son and myself. I am now his American Grandmom, and Eric his American brother. Our family have "adopted" his church flocks` children as our "Family mission", and recently received pictures of the over 50 children we are sending to school this year! The children are from kindergarten to high school ages---------my grown children, as well as my grand kids will be seeing their pictures this weekend when they are here to celebrate Easter.........can you think of any better Easter gift to our family?? We are so blessed to have met Jerome, and to have heard first-person about Ma Ellen----what a woman!! This country is years away from returning to the life they enjoyed before the civil war that touched everyone`s life, including Jeromes`, whose father was murdered, and his wife and two little boys kidnapped. His wife is gone, he but found his sons after five years, and they are now
in school in Monrovia. So, we are so blessed in our country, compared to most people around the world, that we should thank God every day for our freedom. I look forward to seeing more about Liberia`s progress over the coming years--------thank you, Independent Lens!! C S Coon.
Several true heroines...the lovely President Sirleaf, the finance minister and the hardworking filmmaker.
Thank you! I hope to share with my granddaughters and niece.
After seeinAfter viewing the film/coverage I feel a sense of joy to see the steps of the Honorable President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is taking in bringing her war torn country back to a stable state and moving it forward into the twenty-first century. Though she faces an uphill battle her stance and her policies on things such as corruption, protesting and riots are remarkable, because it shows her strength as a great leader.
Gaining the trust of the people through education is one of the greatest things a government can do it rebuilding a country devastated by war and the Honorable President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf must continue to maintain transparency in her government at all times or further instability and civil war can happen all over again. I further hope that the aid Liberia needs to continue along the path of prosperity come swiftly from those who are in positions to do so.
This is as real as it could get for me being very far from home. No wonder they call her the iron lady. I never really thought she spoke to her subordinates like that with such vigor and force. Demanding everything of them. This was real.
Which it was longer than an hour!
What an inspiring film! I am a teacher for middle school students, and I am already thinking of how I will use this film with my kids. As global citizens, we are all discovering and re-discovering democracy, every day, from US presidential election recounts to debates about the electorial system to countries across the world struggling with the basics of establishing a democracy. President Sirleaf and the many unnamed, unrecognized Iron Ladies around the world remind us, each and every one of us, that we must all do our part. That is the message..the gift...for my students who are tomorrow's leaders.
It is wonderful to feel hope for the people of Liberia once again. I was a Peace Corps volunteer there in the 60s in Tunudee and Nyaaka. I have often wondered how my former students survived the long war. I think women tend to strive for cooperation among folks as opposed to aggressive stances. Thanks to the film makers and much appreciation for the Iron Women.
We are privileged to have three Liberian war orphans as adoptive grandchildren. The trauma that these and thousands of others have been through was tremendous. Our Liberian-American family members love their native country a great deal and pray for peace as well as send money for relief of other orphans. We were excited to see the steps being taken to bring Liberia back to its former beauty. Ellen is truly an "Iron Lady." She also has a strong faith in God that gives her strength and direction through her monumental tasks. From our knowledge of her, the story of Ellen's leadership is not complete without inclusion of her spiritual power.
Your film/coverave of the "Iron Ladies o Liberia was an excellant one. It showed the fraustrations of the people being brought forward from the past to blame Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf. I was impressed with the way she answered those questions and problems put to her that calmed the situation. In my view, she is trying hard to bring the people togather without confrontation or violence.
I think what she needs most is the cooperation of opposition leaders to completely set the path to the peaceful and friendly Liberians as we knew it.
please continue your good coverage.
This was a wonderful and inspirational film. I am so glad I had opportunity to watch it.
I would like to thank the Film-maker for this film about the "Iron Ladies of Liberia". This is a very great and historic initiative that all Liberians especially us in the Diaspora should be very proud of.
I want to say congradulations Dan. I just got off the phone with my mom who told you that your film will be airing on PBS and immediately looked it up. I cannot wait to see it. And want you to know that we are so very proud of you.
I felt very close--through the cinematography--to the political process that occurs behind the scenes in a society where much is at stake and the newly elected leaders must produce rapid, tangible results in order to gain the trust of the people who voted them into office. The leadership of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is effective and inspiring, even when the problems she must solve are of daunting proportions. Not only does she command the respect of the people with whom she works, but she also manages to engage her opponents in a democratic, solutions-driven process aimed at addressing problems that have accrued over time and that seem insurmountable. This requires nimble political genius and a strong character resolve only rivaled by the great clarity of vision that is the hallmark of a transformational leader. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf brings to the fore a paradigm-shifting way of doing politics. It shows that where there is a will and willingness to change things for the better it can be done. This is the true audacity of hope--the ability to inspire and forge trust in a common project for the good of a whole country, even against greatest odds. I was throuroughly impressed with this film.
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