Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan social, environmental and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. She was also the first woman in East Africa to earn a doctorate and gain a PhD from the University of Nairobi in 1971. In 1977, she founded the Green Belt Movement, a group that planted trees to prevent deforestation in Kenya.

Since then, more than 40 million trees have been planted across Kenya. Wangari was arrested and even attacked for being against developments that would harm the environment, but she never gave up the fight to save her country’s landscape. She believed in the ‘Power of One’, and her resilience proved that while every person can make a difference, we are a force when we work together.

She travelled the world campaigning for action to be taken on climate change and environmental justice. Wangari was also extremely passionate about advocating for good governance and women’s rights, and her legacy has empowered many to do the same and make a difference regardless of their circumstances.