Event

Pray the Devil Back to Hell chronicles the remarkable story of the Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country.

Thousands of women - ordinary mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim - came together to pray for peace and then staged a silent protest outside of the Presidential Palace. Armed only with white T-shirts and the courage of their convictions, they demanded a resolution to the country's civil war. Their actions were a critical element in bringing about a agreement during the stalled peace talks. Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee was a leading figure in this movement and will also be our Distinguished Lecturer in October, 2024.

A story of sacrifice, unity and transcendence, Pray the Devil Back to Hell honors the strength and perseverance of the women of Liberia. Inspiring, uplifting, and most of all motivating, it is a compelling testimony of how grassroots activism can alter the history of nations.

The Lauder Institute of Management & International Studies and The Center for Africana Studies are pleased to present African Narratives, a new film series that showcases global African cinema. The series features films that explore the diverse complexity of African life and culture and highlight the work of its new and established filmmakers. Each showing includes light refreshments and a post-film discussion/Q&A.