Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2004 passed away

Professor Maathai passed away on sunday 25th september at the Nairobi Hospital, “after a prolonged and bravely borne struggle with cancer”. Maathai’s departure is untimely and a very great loss to all who knew her in the world.

She started the Green Belt Movement in 1977, working with women to improve their livelihoods by increasing their access to resources like firewood for cooking and clean water. She became a great advocate for better management of natural resources and for sustainability, equity, and justice. That is why she has been appointed for the Nobel Peace Prize on 2004. It was the first time that the Price has been given for environmental question.

She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree, Professor Maathai obtained a degree in Biological Sciences from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas (1964). She earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1966) and pursued doctoral studies in Germany and the University of Nairobi, obtaining a Ph.D. (1971) from the University of Nairobi where she also taught veterinary anatomy.

People around the world and especially in Africa will remember her for her civic, social and human engagements.