4. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – The War Artist

Position: President of Liberia

When people are in a war, what come into mind are weapons, battle cries, and blood. However, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf chose the path less traveled as she fought with her brains. She equipped herself with the knowledge and skills, and then she chose her battles wisely. First, she earned her degrees at the University of Wisconsin and also in Harvard. She became finance minister and earned her Nobel for her peaceful methods of fighting for women’s rights.