Wangari Maathai, She Grew Where She Was Planted

Wangari Maathai, She Grew Where She Was Planted

By: Shannon Mouton

Prof. Wangari Maathai received her PhD when a lot of Americans were still wondering if a college degree was necessary;

Prof. Wangari Maathai chaired her university department when many American women were still wondering about their "Mystique;"

Prof. Wangari Maathai led the National Council of Women of Kenya when some Americans were electing the first female Democrat to the US Senate in own right (not appointed or filling a seat of a deceased husband); and

Prof. Wangari Maathai started an environmental movement when most Americans thought tree-hugging was just about smoking marijuana, growing long hair and wearing moccasins.

Yes, Prof. Maathai had a heart for social justice...for the planet, her country and her people. She believed planting trees, bringing life back to the barren places of Kenya, would bring opportunities for all to have self sufficient and self determined lives.

What she accomplished was nothing short of miraculous. Consider the facts, she was a woman, from a Third World country, working in a Third World country and she convinced people to plant trees to better their lives and communities. In fact, they planted a bunch of trees...over 45 million trees in Kenya.

 

The world needs more Wangari Maathai, people with hearts and minds for social justice. This is not to say that everyone has to start an international NGO, move an entire country into action or win a Nobel Peace Prize. All we have to do is follow Prof. Maathai's example and grow where we are planted.