Frequently Asked Questions

Wangari Maathai's major accomplishments include:

• Founded the Green Belt Movement (1977) - which has planted over 51 million trees
• First African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004) - recognized for her work linking environment, democracy, and peace
• First woman in East and Central Africa to earn a PhD (1971) - in veterinary anatomy from the University of Nairobi
• Elected to Kenya's Parliament (2002) - winning 98% of the vote in her constituency
• Served as Assistant Minister for Environment - in Kenya's government
• Appointed UN Messenger of Peace (2009) - focusing on environment and climate change
• Authored four influential books - including the memoir "Unbowed"

Wangari Maathai won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She received the award on December 10, 2004, in Oslo, Norway.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized her "contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace." She was:

• The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
• The first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize
• Only the 12th woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize at that time

Upon receiving the news, she celebrated by planting a tree - a Nandi flame tree at the foot of Mount Kenya.

The hummingbird story is a parable Wangari Maathai often told about a forest fire. While all the animals fled in fear, a tiny hummingbird flew back and forth, carrying small drops of water in its beak to fight the flames.

When the other animals asked what it could possibly do, the hummingbird replied: "I am doing the best I can."

This story, based on a Quechua tale from South America, became Maathai's powerful symbol for:

• Individual action and personal responsibility
• Not being paralyzed by overwhelming challenges
• The collective power of many small actions

Read the full hummingbird story

The Green Belt Movement has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya since its founding in 1977.

Key statistics:

• 51+ million trees planted in Kenya
• Thousands of women trained as foresters
• Over 600 community-based networks established
• 30+ countries where the model has been replicated

The movement began with just seven trees planted by Wangari Maathai on World Environment Day, June 5, 1977.

Wangari Maathai's most famous quotes include:

"When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and hope."

"Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, water it and make it survive, you haven't done a thing. You are just talking."

"It's the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees."

"You cannot enslave a mind that knows itself. That values itself. That understands itself."

"I will be a hummingbird."

Explore more Wangari Maathai quotes

Wangari Maathai authored four major books:

• "Unbowed: A Memoir" (2006) - Her internationally acclaimed autobiography detailing her life journey from rural Kenya to the Nobel Prize
• "The Challenge for Africa" (2009) - An analysis of Africa's political and environmental challenges with proposed solutions
• "Replenishing the Earth" (2010) - Explores the spiritual dimension of environmentalism and healing
• "The Green Belt Movement" (2003) - Documents the approach and experience of building the movement

"Unbowed" was translated into numerous languages and became an international bestseller.

The Green Belt Movement is an environmental organization founded by Wangari Maathai in Kenya on June 5, 1977 (World Environment Day).

The organization focuses on:

• Environmental conservation - Tree planting, watershed protection, biodiversity conservation
• Women's empowerment - Training women in forestry, providing economic opportunities
• Civic education - Teaching communities about environmental rights and democracy
• Advocacy - Fighting against land grabbing and environmental destruction

The movement started with rural women planting trees to address deforestation, soil erosion, and lack of firewood. It has since grown into an internationally recognized organization that continues Maathai's legacy today.

Wangari Maathai died on September 25, 2011, at the age of 71, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She passed away in Nairobi, Kenya.

Her death was mourned globally. World leaders, environmental organizations, and millions of ordinary citizens whose lives she had touched paid tribute to her legacy. At her request, she was buried in a biodegradable coffin made of water hyacinth and bamboo, staying true to her environmental principles to the end.

Wangari Maathai is important for many reasons:

• Pioneered grassroots environmental action - Demonstrated that community-based initiatives can create global change
• Linked environment, democracy, and peace - Showed how these issues are interconnected, influencing global policy thinking
• Empowered women - Created economic opportunities for thousands of rural African women
• Broke barriers - As the first African woman Nobel Peace Prize laureate, she inspired millions
• Created a replicable model - The Green Belt Movement approach has been adopted in over 30 countries
• Stood against injustice - Faced imprisonment and violence but never stopped fighting for what she believed

Her legacy continues to inspire environmental activists, women leaders, and anyone who believes that individual action can change the world.

Wangari Maathai was born on April 1, 1940, in Ihithe village, Nyeri District, in the central highlands of Kenya.

She grew up in a rural farming community surrounded by lush forests and fertile lands. This early connection with nature deeply influenced her later environmental activism. The forests she knew as a child were later devastated by deforestation, which motivated her to found the Green Belt Movement.