1st April 1940 - 25th September 2011

Celebrated as a visionary environmentalist, human rights activist, and academic, Dr. Wangarĩ Maathai made history in 2004 as the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1977, she founded the Green Belt Campaign in Kenya, a grassroots environmental movement that empowered local communities, particularly women, to plant over 51 million trees to combat deforestation, reverse soil degradation, and restore vital ecosystems. Dr. Maathai deeply understood that environmental sustainability, democratic governance, and social justice are inherently linked. Her fearless advocacy for human rights and democracy often put her at odds with an oppressive political regime, yet she remained a resilient champion for the marginalised and a global voice for ecological conservation.

By pioneering community-led sustainable development, Dr. Maathai transformed local landscapes and left an enduring global legacy, proving that everyday individuals can cultivate lasting peace and environmental resilience from the ground up.