Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield Addresses The Paramount Young Women Initiative

December 29, 2011

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and PAO Dehab Ghebreab with members of the Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI)

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and PAO Dehab Ghebreab traveled to Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount, to address the Paramount Young Women’s Initiative (PAYOWI). About one hundred young women congregated for an annual five-day retreat to discuss leadership skills, rights of girls, the importance of girls’ education, and team building – all of which are important to youth, in general, and girls and women, in particular. The organization continues to empower girls to stay in school and to develop their awareness so they can protect their rights. The Ambassador encouraged the youth to inspire more girls to join PAYOWI in order to sustain the remarkable work that they continue to do. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said, “The girl leaders of today and tomorrow –will be the builders of a peaceful and prosperous new Liberia.”

At the venue, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield talked about her background and her experience as a diplomat. Two girls expressed interest in joining the Liberian Foreign Service and asked questions. The Ambassador commended Liberian women, in general, and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ms. Leymah Gbowee, in particular. The Ambassador pointed out that the Nobel Peace Prize is well deserved and has brought pride to the nation and people of Liberia.  This was indeed a shining moment for a country that has suffered so much and one that only a few years ago brought shame to its citizens.

The Ambassador added that both President Sirleaf and Ms. Gbowee serve as inspiration not only to Liberian women but to women across the world. They come from a modest background but through their courage, resilience, and compassion they built themselves to become world renowned leaders. She said to the young girls, “You all have the promise to succeed them as leaders in Liberia. In a matter of years, all of you here will make visible contributions to a Liberia where all Liberians, men and women, can lead with dignity and integrity. And some of you will make history just like President Sirleaf and Ms. Gbowee.”