At the Induction Ceremony of the 50 Most Influential African Women
April 20, 2026 | Freetown, Sierra Leone
Your Excellency, Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chair, ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments; and Officials of Government present;
Excellencies,
Distinguished Honorees,
Esteemed Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
All protocols duly observed,
Good morning.
It is truly a privilege for me to stand here today in the welcoming and historic city of Freetown. Before I say anything further, allow me to personally express my heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, and the people of Sierra Leone for the warmth, grace, and generosity extended to us. From the moment I arrived, I have felt not like a visitor, but like a sister at home—and for that, I am deeply grateful.
Today is not just another ceremony for me. It is a deeply reflective moment.
As I stand here, I cannot help but think about the journey—my own journey, and the journeys of so many women across our continent. Journeys that have not always been easy. Journeys marked by sacrifice, resilience, and an unyielding determination to rise, even when the odds were not in our favor.
So when I look around this room, I do not just see “influential women.” I see stories. I see courage. I see women who refused to be defined by limitations, and instead chose to define their own paths.
Your Excellency, I want to personally commend you—not just in your official capacity—but as a leader who has demonstrated, through action, that empowering women is not rhetoric, it is responsibility. Your commitment to inclusion and to advancing women in leadership sends a strong message across Africa: that when women rise, nations rise.
Being counted among the nominees today is something I do not take lightly. It humbles me deeply. Because I know what it represents—it represents every challenge faced, every barrier confronted, every moment where giving up might have been easier… but we chose to press forward.
And I carry this recognition not just for myself, but for every woman who is still fighting to be seen, to be heard, and to be given a fair chance.
If there is one thing life has taught me, it is this:
Strength is not the absence of struggle.
It is the decision to keep going despite it.
So to every young woman, every girl, every dreamer listening today, I say this from my heart:
It is possible.
Dare to dream—even when no one else sees your vision.
Work with purpose.
Stay focused.
And never, ever give up on yourself.
To my fellow honorees, let us remember that this recognition is not a destination—it is a responsibility. A responsibility to lift others as we rise, to open doors that were once closed to us, and to ensure that the path becomes easier for those who come after us.
Your Excellency, permit me to speak not just as an honoree, but as a woman who believes deeply in practical solutions for women’s advancement.
In the past few days, I have heard discussions about the establishment of a Women’s Bank. And I must say—this is not just an idea whose time has come; it is a necessity.
Across our continent, one of the greatest barriers women face is not talent, not vision, not capability—it is access to finance.
And without financial empowerment, true inclusion remains incomplete.
I therefore respectfully and earnestly appeal to you, Mr. President, to champion this vision—beginning here in Sierra Leone, and extending across the ECOWAS region. The establishment of a Women’s Bank will not only empower women economically, it will transform families, strengthen communities, and accelerate national development.
This is the kind of legacy that endures.
This is the kind of leadership that changes history.
In closing, I celebrate each and every woman being honored today. Your journeys matter. Your voices matter. Your impact matters.
And to the organizers—thank you for creating a platform that tells our stories, honors our work, and inspires the next generation of African women leaders.
May we continue to rise—together.
Thank you, and may God bless us all.
Jewel Howard Taylor
