Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee Inspires Boys with Talk about Character During Collaboration Kick-Off

Character counts as much as achievement.

This message resonated during Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee's inspiring talk with our sixth and seventh grade boys yesterday morning during a special assembly.

Ms. Gbowee led a women's nonviolent peace movement that helped bring about the end to the Second Liberian Civil War in 2003.

She is founder of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, an organization committed to providing outstanding education and leadership opportunities to women, girls, and youth.

For the past four years, Saint David's sixth graders have collaborated with Ms. Gbowee to raise money for the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa's Book Bag Drive, an initiative that provides book bags and supplies to high achieving students in Ms. Gbowee's native Liberia and in Ghana. Last year, through a bake sale that the boys organized and ran on their own, the class raised enough money to fund the purchase of 48 book bags.

This year, the Gbowee Foundation is awarding book bags to those high achieving students who, in addition to excelling in school also demonstrate strength of character. "We are looking for people who stand for truth, justice, and our collective humanity," said Ms. Gbowee. She noted the importance of integrity, and civility, and cautioned the boys against getting caught up in the popular culture--things that are "trending." "Trending is not a legacy, it does not last, it is instant gratification," she said.

While acknowledging the turbulence of current times--the wars, climate crisis, and incivility in public discourse--she expressed hope in the youth of today, and joy in working with Saint David's boys and other boys in different parts of the world.

Before departing Saint David's to deliver a speech to the UN Security Council on women's rights, Ms. Gbowee expressed her appreciation and this aspiration: "I am hopeful for the future because of an audience like this one; you make me hopeful. You are the future of America, and the world looks forward to your next step engaging with humanity. Thank you, all. I look forward to continuing our work together."

We thank Ms. Gbowee for inspiring our boys with her wisdom as they prepare to work with her foundation to serve the greater good.

For more information about Saint David's School, visit www.saintdavids.org

To see the full archive of past blog posts, please go to: pdavidohalloran.blogspot.com

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