Join us April 16 at 6pm

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 and Women for Women International CEO, Thelma Ekiyor. Bellwether is dedicated to disrupting cycle of genocide and Utah Global Diplomacy is dedicated to Building global connections in Utah one handshake at a time. Together we are bringing the power of women, a fight for democracy, and the cause for freedom.

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.

Together with Thelma Ekiyor, Leymah 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, they 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.

Together they 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 Leymah, she used a culturally potent threat to undress—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 and Thelma Ekiyor, told in their 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 and exclusive conversation with Leymah and Thelma, and Utah leaders who have modeled how we build peace.

*All proceeds from the event will support Bellwether's program to provide trauma healing to women and children & Utah Global Diplomacy’s programs to promote citizen diplomacy and build bridges of understanding.

Annual Nobel Peace Prize Gala: Leymah Gbowee + Thelma Ekiyor

Sponsored by Bellwether International and Utah Global Diplomacy