One year of Ellen

One year ago, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as Liberia's president and Africa's first elected female head of state. The Voice of America offers an analysis at her first year in charge. The BBC also takes a look back at the last twelve months in Liberia and at the gargantuan challenges still facing her administration. Nevertheless, it's encouraging that she has the country headed in the right direction about as quickly as anyone could reasonably expect. Whether the expectations remain reasonable in one of the world's poorest, most devastated countries is another question. As able as she certainly is, Madame President will need as much good luck as she can get.

Update: the president is also leading a much needed crusade against rape, particularly of girls.