The one thing I have never been afraid of is standing before

"The one thing I have never been afraid of is standing before important people and speaking my mind. I represent women who may never have the opportunity to go to the UN or meet with a president. I'm never afraid to speak truth to power." These words spoken by Leymah Gbowee—a woman who was a beacon of courage, conviction, and unwavering determination—remind us of the power of voice and the responsibility we have to speak for those who cannot. Gbowee, who helped lead the women's peace movement in Liberia and played a crucial role in ending the civil war, represents an essential truth: truth is not the possession of the powerful or the privileged, but belongs to all people, and it must be spoken, no matter the cost.

In the ancient world, there were figures who stood against the tides of power and tyranny, speaking truth even when their lives were at risk. Consider the example of Socrates, who, at the height of his wisdom, stood before the Athenian court, unafraid to speak his mind, challenging the society's norms and values. His conviction, though it ultimately led to his death, made him a symbol of intellectual and moral bravery. Socrates, like Gbowee, represented the courage to speak not for personal glory or fame, but for the greater good—for the truth that would help others, particularly those who had no voice in the corridors of power.

Gbowee’s words speak to the essence of human dignity. She does not fear speaking truth to power because she stands for those whose voices are ignored, whose suffering is unheard, and whose struggles remain invisible to the powerful elite. In the face of violence, injustice, and oppression, she did not bow to the forces that sought to silence her. Instead, she rose to challenge them, making the bold declaration that truth, no matter how uncomfortable, must be heard. Her courage is a reminder that freedom is not the privilege of the few, but the right of all people, and those who speak for the voiceless carry a responsibility greater than their own fear or well-being.

In the ancient tradition of the warrior, there is an understanding that the battle for truth is not fought with swords or shields, but with words and ideas. Mahatma Gandhi, in his quest to free India from British rule, used non-violence and the truth as his weapons. Like Gbowee, Gandhi’s courage did not come from the power of his position or his army, but from his willingness to speak against tyranny—to challenge not just the external forces of oppression, but the internal fear that keeps people silent. Gandhi’s ability to speak to both commoners and leaders alike, demanding justice and freedom, was rooted in the recognition that truth is universal. It does not belong to the powerful, but to the people.

What Gbowee embodies is not only courage in the face of adversity but also the understanding that true power is not wielded by those who sit at the top, but by those who speak and stand for what is right. In her leadership during the Liberian Civil War, where women organized protests and sit-ins, she showed the world that peace and justice do not come from silence or submission, but from the boldness to speak truth, even to the highest of powers. This ability to speak truth to power requires a deep sense of duty, a belief that the voices of the oppressed must be heard, not merely in the private circles of those who govern, but in the public square, where they can make change.

The lesson Gbowee imparts is one of action and bravery. She teaches us that we all have a role to play in the fight for justice—whether or not we are in the rooms of power, whether or not we have the luxury of being heard. Powerful voices often seek to silence the truth, whether through intimidation, persuasion, or manipulation, but the truth remains indomitable when spoken by those who have nothing but their integrity to stand on. Whether in our communities, our workplaces, or in global conversations, we must understand the responsibility we bear to speak up for what is right, even when the stakes are high and the risks are daunting.

In practical terms, we must empower ourselves to speak, to question, and to challenge. The world is filled with people whose struggles go unnoticed, whose stories are unheard, and whose voices are suppressed. It is up to us—like Gbowee, like Gandhi, like Socrates—to amplify those voices, to rise above the fear and the pressure to remain silent. Let us speak truth, not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of all. Whether it’s standing up for justice, equality, or freedom, we must be unafraid to stand before those in power and speak the truth as we see it.

So, let the words of Leymah Gbowee inspire us to live without fear of speaking truth to power, to stand firm for what is right, even when the world seems to be against us. Just as truth has led revolutions, challenged governments, and changed the course of history, so too can it change our own lives and the lives of those who come after us. Never be afraid to speak the truth, for in doing so, we align ourselves with the force that is stronger than any institution, more enduring than any empire—the truth of justice, of equality, and of human dignity.