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Posted by on Friday, May 2, 2008 at 12:20 PM (PST)
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WANGARI MAATHAI: ENVIRONMENTAL PIONEER
Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai is the epitome of a courageous woman and is someone we greatly admire here at Tastybaby. She has achieved many notable accomplishments throughout her life & not only did she become the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, but she is also the first woman in Africa to earn a Ph.D. In addition to her numerous great honors, Dr. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 with the help of the National Council of Women of Kenya.
This is one of the most prominent women’s civil societies in the world. The organization began as a grassroots tree planting program which attempted to combat the deforestation & soil erosion that was taking place in Kenya. Since its existence, over 40 million trees have been planted across Africa, greatly reducing soil erosion & restoring thousands of acres of bio-diversely rich indigenous forest. The Green Belt Movement incorporates advocacy for human rights & the empowerment of women, & on December 10, 2004 Dr. Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” She accepted the award “on behalf of the people of Kenya, Africa & the world.”
Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai currently travels as a world ambassador, lobbying for environmental preservation & women’s rights. She is the author of two books, "The Green Movement" & "Unbowed: A Memoir" & currently serves on the boards of several organizations including the U.N. Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Disarmament & The Women’s Environment and Development Organization. Most recently she was honored by the Royal Institute of British Architects and accepted the Nelson Mandela Award for Health & Human Rights.
Learn more information about The Green Belt Movement
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