Sometimes, it is only when you are pushed against the wall that you discover just how powerful you really are. But by connecting to your spiritual core there is nothing you can't do and no obstacle you can't overcome. The story of Leymah Gbowee is an excellent example.
Lynn Sherr interviewed her on Bill Moyers Journal along with Abigail Disney creator of the documentary film, Pray the Devil Back to Hell which tells her story. http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/index-flash.html
Leymah Gbowee was an ordinary woman from Liberia who inspired and led other women in a non-violent movement to unite against despot Charles Taylor and restore the rule of law in her country. As a result Charles Taylor left the country, the daily unspeakable violence, fear, and corruption had ceased, and Liberia now boasts the first woman head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
In 2002, Liberia was gripped by civil war between the government of the corrupt, ruthless dictator Charles Taylor and various warlords who sought his overthrow. Over 200,000 people were killed and one-third of the population was homeless. Young children were kidnapped to become unwilling conscripts, killing and other unspeakable horrors were commonplace and rape became a weapon of war.
Day-to-day life became hellish as ordinary citizens woke up in the morning not knowing if they and their families would survive the day.
Leymah Gbowee prayed for an end to the hunger and the violence. One night she had what she called “a crazy dream.” She was instructed to bring the women of the churches together.
It was not a role she accepted readily. In fact she describes her initial reaction as terror. As a single mother in a church that looked down upon unmarried mothers, she felt she was unworthy of any leadership role.
Nonetheless, after speaking to her friends and contacting women from other churches, she mobilized a non-violent movement of women. She focused on market women who were in a position to observe strange movements and could talk to the fighters.
Her actions in such a war-torn country took tremendous courage. Backed by her supporters, they resulted in a public meeting with Charles Taylor and later a sit-in in Ghana when Charles Taylor met with rebel leaders for peace talks. The women blocked the doorway to the conference hall where the talks were being held.
When Security came out to arrest Leymah for Obstruction of Justice, she began to strip naked. In Africa, it is considered a curse to see the naked body of your mother.
That act, coming from her core power as a woman and a mother, changed the dynamic in the room and broke the stalemate. The resulting changes culminated in the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first woman head-of-state.
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