"In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace."

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

Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to recieve the Nobel Peace prize in 2004 for her achievements and contributions to development, democracy, and peace. As a political and environmental activist, her most renowned achievement is known as the Green Belt Movement. Wangari fought to bring the issue of environmental degradation to the public; she has helped to plant over 30 million trees in Africa to improve the quality of the earth for future generations by preventing deforrestation. The goal of this grassroots movement, which was started in 1977, is to prevent soil erosion, produce wood for fuel, improve biodiversity, and enhance the natural beauty of the earth. As the daughter of farmers, Wangari Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya, in 1940. 0ne of her major accomplishments is being the first woman in Central and Eastern Africa to earn a doctoral degree. She has studied at Mount St. Scholastica College, Univeristy of Pittsburg, and University of Nairobi. Wangari has always been a positive role model and leader for women. She served in the National Council of Women of Kenya for eleven years. Also, one of the Green Belt Movement's major focus is to empower women, giving them leadership skills, as well as to spread this movement to other countries. This movement is also devoted to other areas of women's health, such as poverty, nutrition, and education. Being such a strong-willed woman, Wangari has also had her share of controversy. Her husband divorced her in the 1980's, claiming she was "too educated, too strong, too successful, too stubborn and too hard to control." Wangari has also been imprisoned and beaten for speaking out against the government under Daniel arap Moi. Some examples of her activism include founding the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy, leading a hunger strike for political prisoners, and preventing a skyscraper from being built in Uhuru Park. Although she was not successful, she actually ran for presidency in 1997 in order to defeat Moi and end his corruption. There have been several instances where she has been beaten by people in opposition to her protests against modernization, yet Maathai is still going strong in her efforts of conservation. Wangari has three children and has been a member of Parliament in Kenya since 2002. 0there positions she has held over the years include being the Goodwill Ambassador for the Congo Basin Forrest Initiative, the Presiding 0fficer for the Economic Social and Cultural Council of the Africa Union, Assistant Minister for the Environment, Republic of Kenya, Founding member of GR00TS International, Founding Chair of the Green Belt Movement International, and Director of the Kenya Red Cross. Besides the Nobel Peace Prize, Maathai has received numerous awards. Wangari Maathai is truly an African hero and inspirational woman whose vision has impacted the world.