Women's Crossroads

Today Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as the first woman president on the African continent, in the tiny war-torn nation of Liberia. A Harvard-trained banker, Ms. Johnson Sirleaf, like Michelle Bachelet in Chile, has done her time in jail for her dissenting views. Both women have seen war in their own countries, have been personally affected by the violence (Ms. Bachelet lost her father to prison interrogation under Pinochet), and have come to power on a platform that focuses on economic well-being, based on a bedrock of peace.

''Because I was the victim of hatred, I have dedicated my life to reverse that hatred and turn it into understanding, tolerance and -- why not say it -- into love,'' said Ms. Bachelet, a pediatrician turned politician, after her victory on Sunday.

In an interview with the New York Times, Ms. Johnson Sirleaf commented on her two popular designations, "Iron Lady" and "Ma Ellen."

"The Iron Lady of course that comes from the toughness of many years of being a professional in a male-dominated world," she said. "But also the many young people we have here, and the suffering I have seen, and the despair and lack of hope, brought out the motherliness in me, and that is where the Ma Ellen comes from."

I hope that these new women political leaders are able to show us that combination of toughness and love that is necessary to succeed in turning the tide of violence and hatred that has predominated, worldwide, during the 20th century and beyond. Certainly I think men have had long enough to show us what they can do with power; now it's our turn.