Wangarĩ Maatha

Who is she: 

Wangarĩ Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in Kenya to assist communities, particularly women, in planting trees, restoring land, and enhancing their livelihoods. In 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in linking environmental protection with human rights and democracy.

Why she matters: 

Maathai proved that environmental solutions can also be social solutions: trees mean cleaner water, better soil, shade, jobs, and dignity. Her model empowered local leaders and showed governments that conservation is most durable when communities own the work. Today, her legacy continues through ongoing tree-planting and education programs across Africa and beyond.