Liberian President Counsels Harvard Kennedy School Grads

It may have been raining outside the tent at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Forum, but Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf left the audience with a sunny message: If this Kennedy School graduate can change the world, so can you.

Wearing crimson in honor of the school’s Class Day festivities, Johnson-Sirleaf encouraged the graduates to bring the same courage and integrity to their work as leaders as she has brought to the task of rebuilding her war-torn country since she was inaugurated in 2006.

“You will have to be courageous, standing firm, and sometimes standing alone,” she said.

From a podium flanked by the American and Liberian flags, Johnson-Sirleaf—nicknamed the “Iron Lady” for her steely resolve—counseled those going into public service to stay true to their ideals, even when threatened with political dismissal, exile, or imprisonment. Johnson-Sirleaf herself was exiled from Kenya in 1980 and imprisoned later that decade in Liberia.

Reflecting on the practical experience she has gained since her graduation 37 years ago, Johnson-Sirleaf told the graduates that their Kennedy School education would enable them to have a positive impact.

“Now I can say you can go out and change the world, because I’ve done it,” she said in an interview after the event.

Kennedy School Dean David T. Ellwood ’75 called the 1971 graduate “the perfect person” to speak at the school because she lives up to the ideals touted in “Profiles in Courage,” penned by John F. Kennedy ’40.

“If ever there was a profile of courage,” he said, “it is Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.”

Johnson-Sirleaf said she came to Harvard after working in public service in Liberia for four years, to avoid the repercussions of comments she made criticizing the party in power.

“I dared to challenge the present government, of which I was a part,” she said.

Johnson-Sirleaf said she returned to her home country, hoping to use her experience at the Kennedy School as a weapon to fight corruption, poverty, and “the mediocrity and low productivity” of Liberian government. She added that many of the students graduating will face “similar circumstances” when they leave the Ivory Tower today.

Axel Brugger, who will graduate from a mid-career master’s program today, said the speech reminded him of the words on the gates of Harvard Yard which read “Enter to grow in wisdom” and on the inside “Depart to serve better thy country and thy kind.”

“This idea was reflected in the speech: come here and learn and then go back and change the world,” he said.

Citing the challenges Liberia faces in rebuilding infrastructure and restoring stability after a brutal 14-year Civil War, Johnson-Sirleaf nevertheless said she was optimistic for the future.

“As we look at the agenda before us, we are not discouraged by the magnitude of the task, but encouraged by the enormity of the opportunities,” she said. “I hope all of you will see the enormity of the opportunities that lie before you.”

—Staff writer Alexandra Perloff-Giles can be reached at aperloff@fas.harvard.edu.