Ellen is the medieval English form of Helen — from the Greek helene (torch). **Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born 1938)** — the **24th President of Liberia (2006-2018) and the first elected female head of state in Africa**. **Co-recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize** with Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work." Harvard-educated economist who led Liberia's recovery from devastating civil war.
Author of *This Child Will Be Great* (2009).
Ellen reduces to seven — the number of Africa's first elected female head of state.