Unless we see ourselves as significant and strategic to the changes that we want to see, we will never get to that place of change, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate said Wednesday evening during a lecture to TCU students, faculty and staff.

Nobel Peace Prize winner, human rights leader and peace activist, Leymah Gbowee reflected on her life experiences as she spoke about peace, hope, and bravery as the 2018 Frost Foundation lecturer.

“It is time for all of us to find it in our heart to decide that it is time for us to make a move,” Gbowee said.

Peace building is a “lifelong work,” not a trendy cause … “You cannot sit on your laurels and expect change to come … You have to get up every day and say I’m going to make a difference.”— @LeymahRGbowee

— TCU Magazine (@TCUMagazine) February 14, 2018

Gbowee’s established the “Women of Liberia Mass Action in Peace” in response to the second Liberian Civil War where hundreds of thousands of people died from 1999 to 2003.

“As global problems seem more and more pressing, and overwhelming, Ms. Gbowee brings a message of the impact we can each have as individuals if we see the humanity of others and work for peace,” Tracy Williams, associate director of the Center for International Studies said. “Ms. Gbowee shows the impact of working together across religious, cultural and racial divides for peace and justice.”

Gbowee explained a time where she took the opportunity to empower a young girl and a boy who was bullying her. She spoke on the power of women and how a man should treat a woman.

“The change that we seek in this world is borderless,” Gbowee said.

One student in the crowd said she liked the optimism of Gbowee’s message.

“In a world where negativity is constantly spread, it is important to hear a message of hope,” junior Leah Levels said.

Gbowee said it is imperative to lead from the heart because “when you [do this] you are invested in what you are doing. It may not necessarily benefit you but you want to see that change.”

The Frost Foundation Lectureship for Global Issues is a lecture series dedicated to broadening international understanding by showcasing diverse cultural points of view, according to the Center for International Studies.