Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Muta Maathai, was born on April 1, 1940 in Nyeri, Kenya. In 1964, she obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College. She later went on to get a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her Ph. D in Anatomy in 1971 from the University of Nairobi; this made her the first woman to obtain a doctorate degree in East and Central Africa. She became an associate professor in 1976-77.

From 1976-1987, Maathai was part of the National Council of Women of Kenya; she became chairman in 1981. When she was active with the National Council, she introduced the idea of community-based tree planting. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement whose focus was to help Kenyan women have a better environment. Another main focus of this movement was to reduce poverty and to have more environmental conservation through planting.

Throughout her life, she won a lot of awards that honored her work. In 2004, Maathai was the first black woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She was awarded for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.” She is an inspiration to Africans fighting for what she fought for.

“As the first African woman to receive this prize, I accept it on behalf of the people of Kenya and Africa, and indeed the world,” said Maathai in her Nobel Lecture. “I am especially mindful of women and the girl child. I hope it will encourage them to raise their voices and take more space for leadership. I know the honour also gives a deep sense of pride to our men, both old and young. As a mother, I appreciate the inspiration this brings to the youth and urge them to use it to pursue their dreams.”

Wangari Maathai died in September 25, 2011.