Leymah Gbowee: An Inspiration to us All

          

Leymah Gbowee: An Inspiration to us All

A TED Talk Analysis

Leymah Gbowee
Photo retrieved from
yahoo images.

          The TED Talk that I watched and analyzed was given by a Liberian woman by the name of Leymah Gbowee.  Ms. Gbowee titled her speech “Unlock the Intelligence, Passion, and Greatness of Girls” and presented her piece in March of 2012 on the TED stage in Long Beach, California.  The purpose behind Gbowee’s presentation was to share her own personal story of overcoming the incredulous odds that were against her from the beginning as a teen single mother in Africa.  Leymah shared her own story to open her TED Talk, explaining how she managed her four children and that, when she was asked to take two other children under her wing, she had no choice but to turn them away.  She said that she often thought of those two girls that she could’ve helped and stated that she had no idea of their current whereabouts and may never know for that matter.  After finding and maintaining a low paying job, she was able to save enough money to finish her own education and raise her children effectively.  She is truly an inspiring woman and works diligently in all parts of the world, especially poverty-filled African countries, to help other young single mothers overcome the odds and live successful lives, just as she has.

            Prior to Leymah’s TED Talk, I’m sure that the audience anticipated that Leymah would be speaking on the issue of teen pregnancy based on the title of her presentation.  That is at least what I expected before watching her speech.  In addition, I’m sure that the audience, including myself, knew that teen pregnancy rates were high in America and other parts of the world, making this topic such a prevalent issue in today’s society. However, I had no idea just how high teen pregnancy rates were and how they were only continuing to rise.  Also, I was not expecting to hear such a powerful personal story and how one woman was able to turn a devastating situation into a positive one.  Leymah has touched so many lives of young girls who saw only a dark world around them, filled with sexual objectification of women, rape, and other dangers. 

            As you now know, I work with the Step by Step service learning organization, which provides support for young single mothers and their children.  This program gives them hope, just as Leymah has worked towards.  During her presentation, she discussed how she started out building small support groups for teen mothers and prostitutes, encouraging them to refocus their lives.  Leymah gave these women hope for brighter futures, just as Step by Step does for single mothers all over Lexington.  Leymah also pointed out that the issue of teen pregnancy and prostitution is a prevalent one, not just in Liberia and Lexington, but all throughout the United States as well.  She used this statement to encourage her audience to join with her and to carry this movement of hope to all young mothers and prostitutes who are in need of some redirection.  Needless to say, this call to action worked effectively in Leymah’s presentation, as she received a standing ovation to follow it.

            Additionally, Leymah’s utilization of her personal story to capture the audience’s attention worked very effectively.  I was not a live audience member and was merely watching the presentation on a screen, but her story kept me intrigued.  Leymah also included some astounding statistics and quotations in the beginning of her presentation.  For example, she stated that in Liberia, 3 out of every 10 teenage girls were teen mothers of at least one child.  The young ladies from that number who were not pregnant were often involved in prostitution by the age of 12.  “Where is the hope?” asked Leymah, following these shocking numbers. 

            After catching the attention of her audience, Leymah then proceeded to discuss how she had worked for years to address the problem.  She talked about how she started with small support groups and that she now works for a much larger support group known as the Liberian Reconciliation Initiative in an effort to reach and encourage young single moms or prostitutes in dangerous situations.  Throughout the remainder of her speech and particularly in her conclusion and call to action, Leymah used heavy repetition and hand gestures to emphasize certain points she was trying to make.  Both of these techniques worked effectively for Leymah as she was trying to convey her points. 

Another photo of peace activist,
Leymah Gbowee.  Photo retrieved
from yahoo images.

            I do not have too many recommendations to improve Leymah Gbowee’s TED Talk.  The only things I might suggest to her would be to include some kind of visual aid.  Simply hearing her story was very powerfu, but adding a few photos might only add emphasis to her presentation and may keep the audience even more engaged.  Additionally, I did notice Leymah swaying back and forth when she wasn’t pacing.  These movements didn’t always seem purposeful and were therefore, distracting at times.

            Overall, I felt that Leymah’s TED Talk was very moving and inspiring.  I also believe that she was successful in accomplishing her purpose and probably persuaded someone in her live audience to join her cause.  If you are interested, you can watch Leymah Gbowee's TED Talk here.