I admit that I have a thing for trees. To me, they are simply breathtaking no matter the season. Besides their beauty, we live in a world where our very existence depends on trees. While we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide, those trees take in carbon dioxide and send out oxygen, all the while providing shelter for hundreds of plant and animal species. Forgive me, but I could go on and on about trees.
Another penchant of mine is to be inspired by people, not just trees. And one such inspiration for me is Wangari Maathai, an African woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for planting trees! What does planting trees have to do with peace? Well, you will just have to read this excellent article by Kangai on Wangari Maathai.
Wangari Maathai began planting trees in Kenya as a way of addressing rural issues such as deforestation and the resulting soil erosion, as well as empowering women. However, this movement to plant trees, called the Green Belt Movement, became so much more. She writes, "The planting of trees is the planting of ideas. By starting with the simple act of planting a tree, we give hope to ourselves and to future generations." She showed that by planting one tree at a time, a community could empower itself to decide what happens to their environment and provide hope for the future. Since 1977, 40 million trees have been planted across Africa, with a goal of 1 billion trees worldwide by 2018.
The personal story of Wangari Maathai is a fascinating one. Educated in the U.S., she was the first East and Central African woman to be awarded a Doctorate Degree. She also became a member of parliament. A superhero to me and Kangai, she is also a superhero for thousands in Africa and around the world.
Image Credit: plant a tree by aissa
Visit: Wangari Maathai
I am honored to be writing Squidoo Lens Reviews on Fridays, focusing on lenses that are beautifully designed as well as informative. My passions revolve around photography and the environment, books and wine, and numerous other things.
Great review, Kim. I'm pretty fond of trees too and I am now very fond of Wangari Maathai. What an incredible woman!
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Thank you, Kim, for introducing us to Wangari Maathai and her work. It was also great to meet Kangai through this tribute that she wrote to her superhero. 40 million trees… that is amazing, and yet it all began with that first tree and before that with her conviction that this act would make a difference. Inspiring indeed.
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What a fascinating article! Thank you for suggesting it.
It is people like Maathai who deserve our respect and admiration. A life truly dedicated to making the world a better place.
Kim, what a very passionate lens about Wangari Maathai. Now that's one inspiring lady!