Her grandmother, Juah Sarwee, sent Sirleaf's mother to Monrovia when Sirleaf's German grandfather had to flee the country after Liberia declared war on Germany during World War I. A member of a prominent Americo-Liberian family, Cecilia Dunbar, adopted and raised Sirleaf's mother.
Neneknya Juah Sarwee mengirim ibu Sirleaf ke Monrovia saat kakek Sirleaf yang keturunanJerman harus meninggalkan negara itu setelah Liberia menyatakan perang terhadap Jerman selama Perang Dunia I. Seorang anggota keluarga Americo-Liberia terkemuka, Cecilia Dunbar, mengadopsi dan membesarkan ibu Sirleaf.