Wangari+Maathai

Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Nyeri Kenya Africa in 1940. She was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in east Africa. She obtained a degree in Biological sciences from Mount St.Scholastica colledge in Atchison Kansas. She also earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She pursued doctoral studies in Germany and University of Nairobi, obtaining a Ph.D. From the University of Nairobi where she also taught veterinary anatomy. She came up with the idea of planting trees with woman groups in order to conserve the environment and improve their quality of life. They ended up planting over 2 million trees on farms, schools, and church compounds.

She served on the commission for Global Governance and commissions for the future. She and the Green Belt movement have received numerou s awards, Most notably The 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. The Sophie Prize (2004), The Pera Kelly Prize for Environment (2004) WANGO Environment (2003) Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award (2002), Excellence Award from the Kenyan Community Abroad(2001), Golden Ark Award (1994), Juliet Hollister Award (2001),Jane Adams Leadership Award (1993), Edinburgh Medal (1993), The Hunger Project's Africa Prize for Leadership (1991), Goldman Environmental Prize (1991), the Woman of the World (1989), Windstar Award for the Environment (1988), Better World Society Award (1986), Right Livelihood Award (1984) and the Woman of the Year Award (1983). Professor Maathai was also listed on UNEP's Global 500 Hall of Fame and named one of the 100 heroines of the world. In June 1997, Wangari was elected by Earth Times as one of 100 persons in the world who have made a difference in the environmental arena.

She contributed to the environment by the founding of the Green Belt movement which was started in 1977.It began as a grassroots tree planting program to address the challenges of deforestation, soil erosion and lack of water is now a vehicle for empowering women. Helping women throughout Africa become stewards of the natural environment. The movement involves women as equal participants and developers of the Green Belts leads to a positive self-image for women. Trained to properly plant and cultivate seedlings, women both assist in reforestation and generate a source of income for themselves.

"Wangari Maathai - Biography." //Nobelprize.org//. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. 

"The Green Belt Movement | What Is the Green Belt Movement?" //The Green Belt Movement | Home//. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. .

"Greenbelt Movement." //Www.womenaid.org//. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. .