Liberia can move on and break from the past. That is very important for us to try to achieve our development goals and reconcile our nation.

Leadership is never given on a silver platter, one has to earn it.

Of course, I am the first democratically elected woman president in Africa, and that raises a lot of expectations. Because I represent the aspirations of women all over Africa, I must succeed for them. I must keep the door open for women's participation in politics at the highest level. That is both humbling and exciting.

I work hard, I work late, I have nothing on my conscience. When I go to bed, I sleep.

Women work harder. And women are more honest; they have less reasons to be corrupt.

One has to look at my life story to see what I've done. I've paid a heavy price that many people don't realize.

In Liberia, our salary scales are so low that our judicial system has become corrupt over the years. Now, we need to do some things ourselves.