WLP Partner Alumnae Spotlight: Past Leading to Choices Participants Reach High Positions

In July 2007, in Jordan, three WLP alumnae won seats in their municipal councils. Additionally, two alumnae of a regional training in Africa have gone on to take leadership roles in NGOs and in civil service. Christiana Thorpe and Daphne Williams were appointed as National Electoral Commissioners of Sierra Leone in 2005 and 2006 respectively, with Ms. Thorpe gaining the distinction of being the first woman to hold that position in the country. Elections were held in Sierra Leone in August 2007, with run-off election results still pending, and Ms. Thorpe and Ms. Williams were key players in overseeing the process.

Please find below comments from two of our partners in response to the recent elections in Sierra Leone and the work of the two WLP alumnae in their monitoring efforts:

Dear Sisters,
News reaching us here in Nigeria indicates that the general election in Sierra Leone was free and fair. This buttresses WLP's slogan of "when women lead, change follows". Our own sister, Christiana is the National Electoral Commissioner for Sierra Leone. Our other sister, Daphne is also a Commissioner. Together, and in collaboration with others, these sisters have initiated the process of change in their country. We are proud of you and look forward to learning from your experiences soon. We do hope that we will have more successes in our quest for an equitable society where the well-being of all citizens will be the priority of our governments and everyone. Congratulations Sisters!!!
~ Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Nigeria

Dear Sisters,
It is a pleasure to learn about the great work of Christiana and Daphne! Congratulations sisters. We are proud of you. We hope the wind of change you have participated in orchestrating in Sierra Leone will not only be sustained but will radiate from there to the rest of the continent and the world at large.
On behalf of myself and of CEDS, accept once more, congratulations!
~ Irene, Cameroon, CEDS