As the first East African woman to earn a PhD, Professor Maathai began teaching veterinary anatomy in 1971, at the University of Nairobi. She chaired the department in 1976 and 1977. As an activist and environmentalist, she promoted womens rights in organizations such as the National Council of Women of Kenya, chairing this group from 1981 to 1987.

The Green Belt Movement, founded by Professor Maathai, has planted over 20 million trees in Africa. She has enriched the land and people of her continent, by paying local women to raise and plant native tree seedlings on school and church grounds, farms and parks. Fighting against corrupt politicians and big money, she and her followers finally stopped the practice of land grabbing and the abuse of public lands.

In 2002, by a landslide vote, Professor Maathai was elected to Kenyas ninth parliament and appointed as Assistant Minister for Environment, Natural Resources, and Wildlife.

Democracy, womens rights, and environmental conservation have been Wangari's life long cause. She has been threatened and beaten for her beliefs. Her strength caused her marriage to fail and landed her in jail more than once. She even recieved death threats. Her convictions earned her many local and global awards, becoming the first woman and environmentalist to be given the Nobel Peace Prize.

Professor Maathai has also been given the Petra Kelly Prize for Environment(2004), the WANGO Environment Award(2003),  the Woman of the World Award(1989), and many others.

Much has been written about Professor Maathai and the Green Belt Movement. Information can be found in Una Sola Terra: Donna I Medi Ambient Despres de Rio (Brice Lalonde et al.,1998), Land Ist Leben (Bedrohte Volker, 1993), and in Sharing the Approach (Professor Wangari Maathai, 2002).

Professor Maathai accepted the Legion d'Honneur in Paris, in 2006. That same year, she founded the Nobel Women's Initiative with sister Nobel winners. In 2007 She became a co-chair on the Congo Basin Fund.

Rebecca Odenkirk is webmaster and author for <a href="http://www.ReduceReuseRecycle.biz">ReduceReuseRecycle.biz</a> and active in eco friendly causes. You can read her articles at <a href="http://www.ReduceReuseRecycle.biz">ReduceReuseRecycle.biz</a>