Wangari Maathai was born in Kenya. She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. She was active in the National Council of Women of Kenya from 1976 - 1987, serving as its chair from 1981 to 1987. This caught my attention as there is a Council of Women here in my city to which I belong and we are affiliated with the National Council of Women of Canada. What Professor Maathai accomplished while serving on the Council of Women is amazing. In 1976, she developed the idea of community-based tree planting, both to protect against soil erosion and to provide a source of firewood for cooking fires. This idea grew into an organization known as the Green Belt Movement and has assisted women in planting over 40 million trees in Kenya! Her organization has now spread into many other African countries. In 2004 this amazing woman was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for "her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace". Another example of a determined woman helping other women, she continues to campaign for the betterment of women in Kenya. If you want to know more about Wangari's vision, check out the video at: http://takingrootfilm.com/trailer.htm.
Applauding women who single-handedly make a difference in the world . . . it's a good thing!
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