AND was the first African woman, first Kenyan and first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “his contribution to the causes of sustainable development and democracy”.
Wangari Maathai, the first Nobel Peace Prize to an African woman (Getty)
Wangari Maathai and all the “first times that…”
The story of Wangari Maathaiwho died in 2011 after a long fight against cancer, is the story of an exceptional woman, not only because she was the first African woman to graduate from the University of Nairobior for the coveted recognition.
Not just because she was elected to the Kenyan parliament and then appointed Undersecretary for the Environment, natural resources and wildlife. But mostly because you have dedicated your whole life to fighting against deforestation in Kenya and for human rights.
The Lady of the Trees Green Belt Movement
Known as the “lady of the trees”, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movementan eco-feminist movement non-profit aimed at raising awareness of Kenyans on environmental conservation, ondeforestation and desertification.
And without ever ceasing to spend herself on another cause very dear to her: that of women, teaching them to fight peacefully to obtain their rights.
A life made of struggles (won)
The life of Maathai, born in the 1940s into a peasant family, is a life of struggle: to study, to obtain a doctorate, to have the post of assistant she is entitled to at University College Nairobi, but which is given to a student who has not yet graduated.
Fight for herselfbut so it does for all the othersfighting against gender discrimination and wage poverty, and for everyonefighting for democracy, justice, human and civil rights, freedom of expression, and later cancellation of the foreign debt of the poorest countries.
The eco-activist who is not afraid
It occupies public lands, golf courses built for friends of the president, and even the park in central Nairobi where the president intends to build a skyscraper. Smear campaigns, arrests and trials multiply.
Arrested and beaten, the leader of the eco-feminist movement it has never stopped pursuing the protection of biodiversity with commitment and dedication.
The last fight and its legacy
The last fight, the one that unfortunately fails to win is the one with ovarian cancer, which does not give her a chance. But Maathai leaves a legacy worthy of his name: 51 million trees planted in Kenya and 30,000 women trained in activities such as forestry and beekeeping.
But also leave it there Nobel Women’s Initiative founded together with the “Nobel sisters” Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan, Rigoberta Menchu, Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi, to give visibility to all the women who, like her, try to make the world a little more livable for everyone.
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