It is even harder if you are a woman that is african in a country that does not have its independence. Wangari maathai, kenyas foremost environmentalist and womens rights advocate, founded the green belt movement on earth day 1977, encouraging the farmers 70 percent of whom are women to plant greenbelts to stop soil erosion, provide shade, and create a. She also helped deforestation and desertification by planting more trees to help make the soil fertile. Wangari maathai has been praised for her courage and determination.
Starting with a small tree nursery in her backyard, wangari maathai d. Scholastica college in atchison, kansas 1964 and the university of pittsburgh 1966. The journey of one 2011 wangari maathai passed away on september 25, 2011 the life and times of wangari maathai 2004 she became the 1st african woman and 1st environmentalist to receive the nobel peace prize, for her outstanding work. A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker. Wangari maathai, in full wangari muta maathai, born april 1, 1940, nyeri, kenyadied september 25, 2011, nairobi, kenyan politician and environmental activist who was awarded the 2004 nobel prize for peace, becoming the first black african woman to. Opinion the genius of wangari maathai the new york times. The activity follows the writings of different environmental writers over many time periods. Obtained a master of science degree from the university. The story is mainly about wangari maathai and how she was instrumental in transforming both environmental policies and human rights issues. Maathai discovered her lifes work by reconnecting with the rural women with whom she had grown up. Even through all these obstacles wangari maathai succeeded and became an. In unbowed, wangari maathai offers an inspiring message of hope and prosperity through selfsufficiency. Wangari muta maathai was born in nyeri, kenya in 1940. Wangari muta mary jo maathai 1 april 1940 25 september 2011 was a kenyan environmentalist, political activist and the first african woman to receive the nobel peace prize in 2004.
Her unrivalled determination to fight for what she believed in throughout her life. These are things you fight for and then you protect. Like a tall spreading tree, perhaps an acacia, her influence and courage have provided nourishment. To find out about the first woman to win the nobel peace prize click here. Timeline of key events the vision of wangari maathai. View a short film about wangari maathai, the first african woman to win the nobel peace prize, and also the first environmentalist to win. She helped sustain kenya and helped herself and the women of her community achieve equality. Community classroom is a product of the independent television service with support from the corporation for.
Maathai continues to be recognized worldwide for her achievements, although she is denounced as a traitor and a rebel in her home country. The journey of one 2011 wangari maathai passed away on september 25, 2011 the life and times of wangari maathai 2004 she became the 1st african woman and 1st environmentalist to receive the nobel peace prize, for her outstanding work on sustainable development, democracy and. Maathai, who hails from kenya, was given the award by the judge. She founded the green belt movement in the 1970s seeking to promote environmental conservation in kenya and africa. Empowerment through wangari maathai as a woman there are many obstacles in this life. Human rights are not things that are put on the table for people to enjoy. Donate today and be a part of making history with the wangari maathai foundation sign up for our newsletter today and receive timely information regarding events and other charitable news the wangari maathai foundation is involved in. Wangari maathai 1940 2011 was a kenyan environmental activist. Obtained a master of science degree from the university of pittsburgh. Wangari maathai was a kenyan political and environmental activist and her countrys assistant minister of environment, natural resources and wildlife. The first african woman to win the nobel peace prize was praised by the awarding committee as a source of inspiration for everyone in africa fighting for sustainable development, democracy and peace. The first armed liberation struggle against colonialism in africa, it was called the mau mau.
One of the issues that she is most active in is the issue of environmental conservation. The vision of the wangari maathai foundation is a world in which individuals acknowledge their capacity to be a force for positive transformation like wangari maathai was. The official page of the wangari maathai foundation and the legacy page for. Professor wangari muta maathai was a woman of many firsts. Wangari maathai employed women in africa and helped many more people in her small community. Obtained a degree in biological sciences from mount st. The first prolonged, armed liberation struggle against colonialism in africa, it is called the mau mau emergency by the british. Maathai feels very strongly about several issues that affect others lives on a daily basis. For press releases, statements, and interviews issued by and conducted with the green belt movement and.
Wangari muta maathai was born in nyeri, kenya 1960. Greenbelt movement d block questions flashcards quizlet. Timeline of key events 18951902 british arrive in kenya. Wangari maathai simple english wikipedia, the free. Wangari wins the kennedy scholarship and starts her university education in the united states 1964. Wangari maathai went to college in the united states, earning degrees from mount st. We are called to assist the earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own.
Wangari muta maathai became the first black african woman to win the nobel peace prize on this day in 2004. Wangari maathai biography childhood, life achievements. She died last week at age 71, and was described by time as someone who inspired women to stand up for themselves against a corrupt and patriarchal government. In 1960, she won a kennedy scholarship to study in america and earned a masters degree in biology from the university of pittsburgh and became the first woman in east africa to earn a ph. She has been a great champion of why environment matters for people across the planet, and especially for women and poor groups in africa. As an activist and environmentalist who shattered boundaries for women, wangari maathai is a leading figure of postcolonial kenya. Wangari maathai was an environmentalist who won the prestigious nobel peace prize award. The vision of the wangari maathai foundation is a t world in which individuals acknowledge their capacity to be a force for positive transformation like wangari maathai was. Wangari wins the kennedy scholarship and starts her university education in the united states.
Avisionary environmentalist, wangari maathai created a successful reforestation program that began in kenya and was adopted in other african nations and the united states. Professor wangari maathai established the organization in 1977, under the auspices of the national council of. Ecologist wangari maathai won the 2004 nobel peace prize for her years of work with women to reverse african deforestation. Wangari maathai outlines challenge for africa nobel peace prize winner wangari maathai believes theres much more to africa than can be gleaned from a headline.
Taking root timeline the vision of wangari maathai. Wangari maathai biography life, family, children, name. Wangari maathai has become very important to the people of kenya, africa and the international community. Maathais message by supporting ideas and initiatives that demonstrate that each of us, no matter how small, can make a. Following her 2004 triumph, maathai engaged in a number of environmental projects and served for a time as kenyan deputy minister of the environment. According to these two pieces of text, which of the following statements best summarizes wangaris attitude toward education.
The vision of wangari maathai tells the story of kenyas green belt movement and follows maathai, the movements founder and the first environmentalist and african woman to win the nobel prize. She is an excellent person to focus on when using the plt activity by the same name, words to live by found in project learning trees high school module exploring environmental issues. Go through this biography to explore details about her life, childhood, and timeline. The project has made significant headway against kenyas deforestation. The green belt movement gbm is an indigenous, grassroots, nongovernmental organization based in nairobi, kenya that takes a holistic approach to a development by focusing on environmental conservation, community development and capacity building. Beginnings i was born the third of six children, and the first girl after two sons, on april 1, 1940, in the small village of ihithe in the central highlands of what was then british kenya. The first time we met maathai was four years ago in an airy guesthouse beneath towering jacaranda trees on the outskirts of nairobi. To read the essay peace as an early womans issue click here to learn about a movement in india dedicated to preserving the forests click here. It is with great sadness that i heard of the death of kenyan environmental and political activist wangari maathai aged 71. She became the first african woman to receive the nobel peace prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. The vision of wangari maathai timeline of key events in the film 18951902 british arrive in kenya. Wangari maathais husband ran for parliament in the 1970s, and wangari maathai became involved in organizing work for poor people and eventually, this became a national grassroots organization, providing work and improving the environment at the same time. The vision of wangari maathai was produced by lisa merton and alan dater.