african women leadership wellesley Wellesley College this week will present The African Women’s Leadership Conference, a gathering of influential voices from education, politics, health, technology and more, and several of the keynote lectures are free and open to the public.

Keynote speakers include Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia (2006–2018) and Nobel laureate; Kenyan educator and social activist, Kakenya Nataiya; Kansiime Anne, Ugandan comedian and actress; and Agnes Binagwaho, vice chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity, and the former minister of health of Rwanda. Joey Cole ’99, senior producer for MSNBC Live with Hallie Jackson, will emcee.

Guests may register online on the conference website. Although registration for the full two-day conference is full, all events will be available via livestream at wellesley.edu/live.

Thursday, March 8 (International Women’s Day)

1:15 pm to 3 pm – Agnes Binagwaho, vice chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity presents the keynote talk, “The Challenges Faced by African Women Leaders in the Health Sector.” Wellesley President Paula Johnson will moderate the talk.
3:15 pm to 5 pm – Playwright and Wellesley 2006 alumna, Mfoniso Udofia, presents “Creating Movement: African Women’s Bodies in the American Theatre.”
6:30 pm to 7:30 pm – Keynote speaker Kakenya Ntaiya presents “Empowering Girls, Transforming Communities: My Journey to Live a Bold Vision for Change.”
7:45 pm to 8:30 pm, Kansiime Anne gives a comedy performance, titled “I am Kansiime”

Friday, March 9

11:30 am to 1:15 pm – Hauwa Ibrahim, International Human Rights and Shariah Law Attorney presents “Mothers Without Borders: Steering Youth Away from Violent Extremism”
3:45 to 4:45 pm – Keynote talk with H. E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia (Jan 2006-Jan 2018), moderated by Paula Johnson, President Wellesley College