Chapter 1 Wangari Maathai's love for nature helped spark a worldwide environmental movement CONNECTING WITH THE LAND Among the green trees and wide plains of Kenya Wangari Maathai was born on April 1 1940 She went on to do amazing things for her country and her people She became the first woman in central and East Africa to earn an advanced
college degree Maathai was a big supporter of women's rights and worked for the equal treatment of women throughout her life She also led the Green Belt Movement one of the largest environmental revolutions in Africa In 2004 Maathai was recognized for her achievements with a Nobel Peace Prize She was the first African woman to ever receive the honor Maathai shakes hands with Ole Mjoes chairman of the Nobel Prize committee
