Spelman College
| www.spelman.edu Atlanta, GA May 20, 2007 |
The Honorable Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia: |
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"In Liberia, we have an adage that states: ‘Where there is true friendship, long distances do not matter.’ The friendship between this academic community and the Government and people of Liberia has made my transatlantic journey to this yard, to this beautiful College Community and historic Atlanta like a journey of a mile. |
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Humankind is an enduring agent of change. Most times than not, we opt for positive change – change that makes the world a better place for all humanity; change that actualizes the universal values of freedom, liberty, justice, equality; change that ensures the unity and progress of the human family. For positive change to make a difference in the lives of greater humanity, people must be inspired to challenge, reform or transform existing conditions of life, especially where our most cherished universal values are trampled upon by those whose goal often is to circumvent the path of peace and human upliftment, or to wrest the good things of life for themselves at the disadvantage of a weaker humanity. In human experience, to make a difference in one’s life is to succeed; and success requires a continuing struggle to overcome adversity as a basis for our preparation to serve humankind." |
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