The first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Wangari Maathai has died after a prolonged battle with cancer. She died on Sunday in Nairobi at the of age of 71.
Maathai a national of Kenya, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for promoting environmental conservation, women’s right and transparent government.
She was elected as member of the Kenyan Parliament in 2002 and served as a minister in the Kenyan government for a period of time. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement which planted 20-30 million trees in Africa.
Ms Maathai, who was a professor of veterinary anatomy rose to international fame for campaigns against government backed forces clearances in Kenya in the late 1980s-90s. Under the former government of President Daniel Arap Moi, she was arrested several times and vilified.
In 2008, Ms Maathai was tear gased during a protest against the Kenyan president’s plan to increase the number of ministers in the cabinet.
While accepting the Nobel prize, Ms Maathai said she hoped her success will spur other women to a more active role in the community, “I hope it will encourage them to raise their voices and take more space for leadership” she said.
Professor Maatha’s departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her – as a mother, relative, co-worker, colleague, role model and heroine; or who admired her determination to make the world a more peaceful, healthier and better place.
Source: Daily Sun, Tuesday September 27, 2011
