MONROVIA -Today, on Mother’s Day, I bow in humility and profound respect to the women of Liberia — the mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, wives, widows, market women, nurses, teachers, farmers, students, professionals, and all women whose sacrifices sustain our nation every single day. They are truly special and unique in many ways.
No words can ever adequately describe the sacrifices Liberian women have made for their husbands, children, siblings, families, communities, and the survival of Liberia. Their love is deeper than the ocean, their endurance stronger than iron, and their courage greater than many battles fought with weapons. Yes! Liberian women are special!
Before day breaks over Monrovia, Gbarnga, Buchanan, Voinjama, Harper, Zwedru, Kakata, Sanniquellie, and towns and villages across Liberia, our women are already awake. Many prepare food for their children before school, clean homes, care for the sick, and then leave for the markets while most of the nation still sleeps. The rural women go on their farms very early in the morning, sometimes while their husbands are still sleeping.
Go to Gobachop Market early in the morning. Go to Duala Market before sunrise. Watch the women carrying heavy loads on their heads, arranging vegetables, pepper, fish, rice, cassava, palm oil, bitter balls, charcoal, and countless other goods that feed our nation. Stand by the roads and see women riding on the backs of trucks from rural Liberia to urban centers, bringing farm produce to the cities and carrying imported goods back to the interior. Through rain, hardship, sickness, and economic struggle, they continue moving — because their families depend on them.
Liberian women feed this nation.
They sell so their children can go to school.
They sacrifice so others can survive.
They endure so families can remain together.
Across Europe, America, Australia, Latin America, Asia, and other parts of Africa, countless Liberian women work tirelessly to support their families back home. Many work long hours in hospitals, nursing homes, offices, schools, factories, restaurants, hotels, and private homes, sacrificing comfort and personal dreams so their children, parents, siblings, and relatives in Liberia can survive and have a better future. In their desperate search for opportunities abroad to support loved ones, some Liberian women have unfortunately become victims of human trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and untold suffering. Yet even in hardship, they continue to send support home and remain a lifeline for many families across Liberia.
In hospitals and clinics across Liberia, women nurses continue to show extraordinary dedication to caring for the sick. In offices, schools, businesses, and public institutions, women secretaries, administrators, and executives often demonstrate commitment, discipline, honesty, and resilience beyond measure.
Liberian women have not only sustained families; they have shaped the history of our Republic.
It was Liberian women, led by Susannah Lewis, who designed our national flag — the proud symbol of our independence and sovereignty.
A Liberian woman, Angie Brooks Randolph, rose to become the first African woman President of the United Nations General Assembly, carrying Liberia’s name to the world with dignity and excellence.
Some of us may be critical of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for one reason or another, but fairness and patriotism require us to applaud her historic achievement in placing Liberia on the map of Africa and the world as the first woman elected President of an African country. We must also never forget that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee became the first two women from an African country to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year for their contributions to peace, democracy, and the advancement of women. Regardless of political differences, these historic achievements deserve recognition and remain a source of pride for Liberia and Africa.
A Liberian woman, Lucia Massalley, endured severe torture at the notorious Post Stockade and Camp Belleh Yallah during the dark days of our nation’s history, symbolizing the suffering and courage of countless Liberian women.
During the brutal years of Liberia’s civil war, women saved lives at great personal risk. Many faced rape, torture, displacement, humiliation, and death. Yet they continued protecting children, caring for the wounded, praying for peace, feeding communities, and helping rebuild a shattered nation. Some crossed battle lines carrying food and medicine. Others hid neighbors and strangers in their homes. Many paid the ultimate price.
Liberian women were among the true heroes of our survival as a nation.
Today, Liberian girls and women continue to excel academically in elementary schools, junior high schools, high schools, colleges, graduate schools, medical schools, and law schools. They are proving every day that when given opportunity, support, and respect, there is no limit to what Liberian women can achieve.
We also salute the wives of politicians and public servants for the support, encouragement, patience, and sacrifices they make for their husbands and families. Beginning with the First Lady of Liberia, to my own beloved wife, and the wives of all my colleagues across political lines, we acknowledge your contributions to national service. Without the support, prayers, endurance, and understanding of a good wife, no politician can succeed easily. Behind many successful men in public life stands a strong and sacrificial woman whose contributions often go unnoticed by the public.
Today, I call upon the President of Liberia and all politicians, irrespective of party or position, to join me in saluting our wives and the women of Liberia on this special day.
To the women of Liberia living at home and abroad — we honor you today.
We honor your labor.
We honor your tears.
We honor your strength.
We honor your intelligence.
We honor your courage.
We honor your faith.
We honor your sacrifices.
And above all, we thank you.
May God continue to bless the women of Liberia.
May your sacrifices never be forgotten.
May your dignity always be protected.
May your contributions always be respected.
And may the future of Liberia reflect the greatness of its women.
Happy Mother’s Day to all Liberian women.
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