Washington, DC—The Women’s Foreign Policy Group honored H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and the first elected female head of state in Africa, at its 2006 Annual Luncheon Event on October 16, in Washington, DC. Renee Poussaint, Chief Executive Officer of The National Visionary Leadership Project and former ABC Network Correspondent, was Mistress of Ceremonies for the luncheon program, which featured a special video address by President Sirleaf and a tribute to the president by Jendayi Frazer, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Participants also enjoyed excerpts from President Sirleaf’s historic speech to the Joint Session of Congress and discussed current Liberian priorities and challenges with Liberian Ambassador Charles A. Minor.

At the Luncheon, the WFPG also announced its first international grant awarded to the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Market Fund for Women. Through provision of infrastructure, skills training, and financial tools, this sub-fund of the African Women’s Development Fund, will work to strengthen all Liberian market women, a goal of personal importance to President Sirleaf, whose grandmother was a rural Liberian market woman. Attended by many influential members of the international affairs community, the event reflected the WFPG’s growing presence and support. Supporters and WFPG members at the event included senior-level women from the U.S. Department of State, numerous ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic community, corporate executives, leaders of non-governmental organizations, and the media.

The WFPG would like to thank the patrons, sponsors, supporters, special friends, host steering committee members, honorary committee members and WFPG board members who helped make the luncheon such a success. The Women's Foreign Policy Group depends on such generous support to continue its mission of promoting women’s leadership and voices in international affairs.