Wangari Maathai's Milestones

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist, founder of the Green Belt Movement, first African woman Nobel Peace laureate, and champion of reforestation and women's rights across Africa.
1940

Birth

Born in Ihithe, Nyeri District, Kenya, to Muta and Wanjiru Maathai.

Family April 1, 1940
1948

Early education in Kenya

Attended Ihithe Primary School and St. Cecilia's Intermediate Primary School; excelled academically and converted to Catholicism.

Education January 1, 1948 - December 31, 1956
1957

Attended Loreto High School Limuru

Attended Loreto High School, the only Catholic girls' high school in Kenya.

Education January 1, 1957 - August 31, 1960
1960

Selected for Kennedy Airlift

Chosen for the Kennedy Airlift program, enabling study in the United States.

Achievement September 1, 1960

Attended Mount St. Scholastica College

Studied biology at Mount St. Scholastica College in Kansas, earning a bachelor's degree.

Education September 1, 1960 - June 1, 1964
1964

Master's degree at University of Pittsburgh

Earned a master's degree in biological sciences at the University of Pittsburgh; inspired by local environmental restoration efforts.

Education September 1, 1964 - January 1, 1966
1966

Research assistant at University College of Nairobi

Returned to Kenya; worked as research assistant and lecturer in veterinary anatomy at University College of Nairobi.

Career March 1, 1966 - December 31, 1971
1971

PhD at University of Nairobi

Became the first East African woman to earn a PhD, in veterinary anatomy.

Education January 1, 1971 - December 31, 1971
1976

First female chair of department

Appointed chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy at University of Nairobi; first woman to hold such a position.

Career January 1, 1976 - December 31, 1977
1977

Personal and political challenges

Separated and divorced from husband; faced legal and financial difficulties; became chair of National Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) in 1980.

Other January 1, 1977 - December 31, 1982

Founded Green Belt Movement

Founded the Green Belt Movement, focusing on tree planting, environmental restoration, and women's empowerment. First event held on World Environment Day.

Achievement June 5, 1977
1986

Expansion of Green Belt Movement

Green Belt Movement expanded across Africa; established Pan-African Green Belt Network with support from UNEP.

Achievement January 1, 1986 - December 31, 1989
1989

Uhuru Park protest

Led successful protest against construction in Nairobi's Uhuru Park, forcing cancellation of a major government-backed project.

Achievement November 15, 1989 - January 15, 1990

Government harassment and office eviction

Faced government harassment, forced to move Green Belt Movement office into her home.

Other December 1, 1989 - December 31, 1991
1992

Pro-democracy activism

Helped unite opposition for Kenya's first multi-party elections; formed Middle Ground Group and Movement for Free and Fair Elections. Imprisoned for activism.

Achievement January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1992
1998

Karura Forest protest and international recognition

Led protests against land grabbing in Karura Forest; attacked and injured during demonstration; protests led to government halting land allocations.

Achievement January 8, 1998 - August 16, 1999
2002

Taught at Yale University

Served as Dorothy McCluskey Visiting Fellow for Conservation at Yale University.

Career January 1, 2002 - June 30, 2002

Elected to Kenyan Parliament

Elected to Parliament representing Tetu Constituency with 98% of the vote; appointed Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources.

Achievement December 27, 2002 - December 31, 2007
2003

Founded Mazingira Green Party

Founded Mazingira Green Party of Kenya to promote conservation and environmental policy.

Achievement January 1, 2003
2004

Nobel Peace Prize

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace; first African woman laureate.

Achievement October 8, 2004
2006

Billion Tree Campaign and global advocacy

Spearheaded UN Billion Tree Campaign; co-founded Nobel Women's Initiative; continued global advocacy for women's rights and the environment.

Achievement November 1, 2006 - September 25, 2011
2011

Death

Died in Nairobi, Kenya, of ovarian cancer; cremated and buried at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies.

Other September 25, 2011
2012

Wangari Maathai Forest Champion Award

International forest award named in her honor by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.

Other January 1, 2012