Wangari Maathai

 

Wangari Maathai a Kenyan politician and environmental activist was born on April 1st, 1940, Nyeri, Kenya and died  September 25, 2011, Nairobi, Kenya.

Mrs. Maathai received a college education in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College) and received her Ph.D. at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. In 2004 Mrs. she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions sustainable development, democracy and peace, making her the first African woman to be awarded it.

To win the award Wangari Maathai came up with the brilliant idea to start the Green Belt Movement, which is a women run organization that helps improve the environment and reduce deforestation. The movement started when streams began drying up and women were struggling to find food, deforestation and realization that the environment needed protection. Mrs. Maathai commenced the Green Belt Movement by encouraging women to plant trees in their environments and by the 21st century over 51 millions trees were planted. By planting the trees Wangari Maathai has provided a fuel source and has reduced the deforestation and desertification in Kenya.

The Green Belt Movement is still active today, on a mission to manage the environment and empower the community, all thanks to Wangari Maathai, who´s vision helped people love their environment, 

Although dead, her legacy still lives on through the millions of people who she has guided and are still willing to keep her vision alive by protecting the environment.