'Iron Lady' leaves crowd riveted

Africa's "Iron Lady" -- Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf -- electrified a sold-out crowd Friday at the University of Minnesota, capping weeks of excitement among local Liberians.

Sirleaf, the first woman elected to lead an African nation, is on a national tour to promote her memoir. She used her historic stop in Minnesota, the state with the largest Liberian population in the country, to build support for her vision of a prosperous Liberia.

During her talk at the U's Northrop Auditorium, Sirleaf expressed support for permanent residency and possible dual citizenship for the thousands of Liberians living in the U.S. who were granted special immigration status during the country's long civil war.

She told the crowd that as much as she wants Liberians to return and help rebuild the country, Liberia is not ready to absorb all of them at once.

"While we welcome them back, we know it takes time and they'll have to plan it," she said, acknowledging that many have been in the United States for so long that they have children who were born here. The crowd cheered in response.

A guest of the University's Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, Sirleaf joined an elite group of dignitaries that has included President Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama. She also received an honorary doctor of laws degree from university officials.

After her speech, she met privately with leaders of several Twin Cities companies and colleges to discuss possible partnerships. She wants to build a pipeline of support between Minnesota and Liberia, said Wynfred Russell, a leader in the local Liberian community and a member of the Minnesota group that planned Sirleaf's visit.

Her visit has a special significance in Minnesota, which has 20,000 to 30,000 Liberians, most of them living in Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.