# Leymah Roberta Gbowee

> Liberian peace activiste (born 1972)

**Wikidata**: [Q107037](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107037)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leymah_Gbowee)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leymah-roberta-gbowee

## Summary
Leymah Roberta Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist and politician who co-founded the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP) in 2003. She is best known for her leadership in the Liberian civil war and her advocacy for women's rights and peacebuilding, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

## Biography
- Born: February 1, 1972
- Nationality: Liberian
- Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Mennonite University (1995)
- Known for: Founding the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP) and advocating for peace and women's rights in Liberia
- Employer(s): Eastern Mennonite University (educated at), Columbia University (affiliated with)
- Field(s): Peace activism, human rights, political science

## Contributions
- Co-founded the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP) in 2003, a Liberian peace organization dedicated to ending the civil war through nonviolent resistance.
- Led the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign, a nonviolent protest movement that mobilized women across Liberia to demand peace and an end to the conflict.
- Advocated for women's rights and peacebuilding in Liberia, working to empower women as agents of change in post-conflict reconstruction.
- Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 for her efforts in promoting peace and human rights, particularly through her work with WOLMAP.

## FAQs
- **What is Leymah Roberta Gbowee known for?** Leymah Roberta Gbowee is known for co-founding the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP) and leading the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign, which mobilized women in Liberia to demand peace during the civil war.
- **Where did Leymah Roberta Gbowee study?** Leymah Roberta Gbowee earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Mennonite University in 1995.
- **What awards has Leymah Roberta Gbowee received?** Leymah Roberta Gbowee has received the Nobel Peace Prize (2011), the Gruber Prize for Women's Rights, the Profile in Courage Award, and the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award.
- **What is the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP)?** WOLMAP is a Liberian peace organization founded in 2003 by Leymah Roberta Gbowee, dedicated to ending the civil war through nonviolent resistance and empowering women as agents of peace.
- **What is the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign?** The "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign was a nonviolent protest movement led by Leymah Roberta Gbowee, which mobilized women across Liberia to demand peace and an end to the civil war.

## Why They Matter
Leymah Roberta Gbowee's work with WOLMAP and the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign revolutionized peacebuilding in Liberia by demonstrating the power of women-led nonviolent resistance. Her efforts helped end the civil war and established a precedent for women's roles in conflict resolution. Gbowee's Nobel Peace Prize recognition elevated global awareness of women's contributions to peace, inspiring similar movements worldwide. Her legacy continues to influence human rights advocacy and gender equality efforts in post-conflict regions.

## Notable For
- Co-founder of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP), a key organization in Liberia's peace movement.
- Leader of the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign, which mobilized women to demand peace during the civil war.
- Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (2011) for her advocacy for women's rights and peacebuilding.
- Advocate for women's empowerment in post-conflict reconstruction and human rights.
- Affiliated with Eastern Mennonite University and Columbia University, contributing to peace and justice education.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Leymah Roberta Gbowee was born on February 1, 1972, in Liberia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Mennonite University in 1995, where she was educated in peacebuilding and justice. Her academic background laid the foundation for her later work in conflict resolution.

### Founding WOLMAP and the Peace Movement
In 2003, Gbowee co-founded the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace (WOLMAP), a Liberian peace organization dedicated to ending the civil war through nonviolent resistance. WOLMAP became a central force in Liberia's peace movement, mobilizing women to demand an end to the conflict.

### The "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" Campaign
Gbowee led the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign, a nonviolent protest movement that mobilized women across Liberia to pray for peace and demand an end to the civil war. The campaign involved women gathering in churches and public spaces to pray, sing, and demand peace, which helped shift public opinion and pressure political leaders to negotiate.

### Advocacy for Women's Rights and Peacebuilding
Gbowee's work with WOLMAP focused on empowering women as agents of peace and justice. She advocated for women's rights and peacebuilding in Liberia, working to ensure that women's voices were heard in post-conflict reconstruction. Her efforts highlighted the critical role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

### Nobel Peace Prize Recognition
In 2011, Leymah Roberta Gbowee was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in promoting peace and human rights, particularly through her work with WOLMAP. The prize recognized her leadership in mobilizing women to demand peace and her contributions to peacebuilding in Liberia.

### Awards and Honors
Gbowee has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Gruber Prize for Women's Rights, the Profile in Courage Award, and the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award. These accolades reflect her impact on human rights and peace advocacy.

### Legacy and Influence
Leymah Roberta Gbowee's legacy continues to inspire women-led peace movements and human rights advocacy worldwide. Her work with WOLMAP and the "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" campaign established a model for nonviolent resistance and women's empowerment in conflict resolution. Her Nobel Peace Prize recognition elevated global awareness of women's contributions to peace, influencing similar efforts in post-conflict regions.

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