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Monrovia – The International Women’s Forum & Leadership Foundation (IWF/LF) closed it’s three-day Global Leader 2018 World Leadership Conference in Miami, Florida, the USA on 26 October, with the celebration of two women who the IWF/LF says have set groundbreaking precedents through their work and example, former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Philanthropist and Patron of the Arts Alice Walton.
Both women were inducted into the IWF/LF Hall of Fame during its annual gala. In addition to the induction of Johnson Sirleaf and Walton, the IWF/LF also celebrated five Women Who Make A Difference Honorees. Each year, select chapters of IWF from across 33 countries nominate members who have made a difference in their communities and beyond.
The IWF is an invitation-only, membership organization comprised of more than 6,800 diverse and accomplished women from 33 nations on six continents. It is dedicated to building better leadership locally and globally, with its Leadership Foundation supporting high-potential women through leadership development programs, the Fellows Program and the EY Women Athletes Business Network (WABN) Mentoring Program.
Since 1985, IWF/LF has inducted over 80 women into its hall of fame. These global leaders span continents, careers, and viewpoints but are united by their level of achievement, according to an IWF/LF statement on its website.
This year’s IWF HALL of FAME inductees, ex-Liberian president Sirleaf and acclaimed philanthropist Walton join other iconic leaders including former US Presidential nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton, humanitarian and actress Audrey Hepburn, Civil Rights Icon, Rosa Park, Wangari Maathai and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, all of whom had been inducted in previous years.
According to IWF/LF, since becoming Africa’s first democratically elected female head of state in 2005, and going on to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, former president Sirleaf has remained a powerful voice and advocate for peace and democracy.
“Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has led a ground-breaking career in public service and remains a role model for women and girls on the continent of Africa and throughout the world. We are honored to induct her into our Hall of Fame,” said IWF President Teresa Weintraub.
For her part, Alice Walton’s philanthropy is focused on how access to education and the arts can transform lives. Working with her family through the Walton Family Foundation, she has helped create access to opportunities for people and communities in education, the environment, and investments in her home region of Northwest Arkansas.
Her initiatives range from supporting innovative K-12 education to establishing a world-class School of Art at the University of Arkansas, from founding Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, to creating Art Bridges, which provides access to art in communities throughout the US.
“Through her visionary work, Walton has significantly increased access to education and the arts across our country,” noted Weintraub, adding, “At Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art alone, which opened in late 2011, some 4 million people have experienced the power of art with the beauty of nature. We are thrilled that she will join us and accept this honor.”
Source: IWF/LF
