Origins & Early Life

Wangarĩ Maathai (; 1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011) was a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist who founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. In 2004, she became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. As a beneficiary of the Kennedy Airlift, she studied in the United States, earning a bachelor's degree from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, and a masters degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She then became the first woman in East and Central Africa to become a Doctor of Philosophy, receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Nairobi in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1984, she received the Right Livelihood Award for "converting the Kenyan ecological debate into mass action for reforestation." Wangari Maathai was an elected member of the parliament of Kenya, and served as the assistant minister for environment and natural resources in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005. She was an Honorary Councillor in the World Future Council. As an academic and the author of several books, Maathai...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abbas Kiarostami — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Master Iranian filmmaker known for blending fiction and documentary styles.
• Al Pacino — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Intense American actor celebrated for his powerful stage and screen performances.
• Alan Kay — Contemporary (Born in 1940) (1940): Pioneer of GUI, Object-Oriented Programming, and modern computing paradigms.
• Amy Winehouse — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Iconic British soul artist blending jazz, R&B, and retro sounds.
• Anne McCaffrey — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering science fiction author, celebrated for the Dragonriders of Pern.
• Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu — Contemporary (Died in 2011) (2011): Prominent Nigerian politician and military leader, best known for leading Biafra.
• Abbé Prévost — Shared historical date (04-01 · Born) (1697): French novelist, best known for the highly popular romance, Manon Lescaut.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Shared historical date (04-01 · Born) (1936): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Ambrogio Spinola — Shared historical date (09-25 · Died) (1630): Italian-Spanish nobleman and general, renowned for his military prowess in the Spanish Empire.
• Arnold Palmer — Shared historical date (09-25 · Died) (2016): The charismatic "King" of golf, who popularized the sport for the masses.
• 1940 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1940
• April 1 (04-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 1
• 2011 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2011
• September 25 (09-25) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 25