Bellwether International in partnership with Utah Global Diplomacy will be highlighting and awarding the incredible work and legacy of Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate:

Leymah Gbowee was only seventeen when Liberia’s civil war erupted, and she later said the chaos pushed her into adulthood almost overnight. As the fighting dragged on, she became a mother, trained in social work and trauma care, and supported former child soldiers trying to rebuild their lives. The experience convinced her that women owed the next generation more than survival—they owed them active efforts to end the violence and restore stability. She helped launch and lead Liberia’s role in the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET), and, drawing strength from her faith, rallied Christian women to demand peace. Soon after, she partnered with a Muslim ally to unite women across religious lines, creating the landmark Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace under WIPNET’s umbrella.

As their public voice, she led sustained demonstrations that pressured President Charles Taylor into peace talks in Accra, where the women escalated tactics—at one key deadlock forming a human blockade to keep delegates from leaving until they reached an agreement, and when authorities tried to detain her, using a culturally potent threat to disrobe—helping tip the process toward a deal that was quickly followed by Taylor’s resignation, exile, and a signed peace accord establishing a transitional government.

The story of Leymah Gbowee, told in her own words is not only a story for this political moment in Utah and the United States, but a reminder that good prevails over evil. Join us for an evening with Leymah Gbowee, where she will be presented with the 2026 Bellwether Prize.

Awards Gala Honoring Leymah Gbowee

By Bellwether International

Awards Gala Honoring Leymah Gbowee

Sponsored by Bellwether International and Utah Global Diplomacy

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