While I was in Kenya, I read Dr. Wangari Maathai's book, Unbowed. The book is a memoir, the story of her extraordinary life. Inspired by her interactions with nature as a child, Dr. Maathai went on to become a leading environmentalist. She pioneered the Green Belt Movement, owing to which much of Kenya's forests have been restored, and kept it alive in the face of adversity. Protecting the ecosystem in this manner helped many rural communities fight poverty and become self sufficient. She fought long and hard for many noble causes including multi-party democracy in Kenya and saving the city's central green space, Uhuru (freedom) park. She helped bring out multiple instances of corrpution and the Government turned against her and all her initiatives. Yet, she remained committed to her goals and helped Kenya move forward in many ways, despite her personal struggles and setbacks.
I was inspired to read about her life and the results she brought about from her determination and sheer courage. It was thrilling just to walk around in Uhuru Park, knowing how much had gone into saving it. Through most of the book, I felt as if Dr. Maathai was sitting with me and telling me her heart-warming story. A beautiful read and a great way to learn about Kenya and the story of a phenomenal woman.
From Wikipedia: Wangari Muta Maathai (born April 1, 1940 in Ihithe village, Tetu division, Nyeri District of Kenya) is a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. In 1984, she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, and in 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” Maathai was an elected member of Parliament and served as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005.
