Heroine who won Battles for Nature Succumbs to Cancer at 71

The death of prof. Wangari Maathai on Monday at Nairobi Hospital-Kenya,  brought  an end to the life    of  a symbolic figure and role model  for many  whose very portrait  told  volumes  about her love of nature and the environment.

Wangari was an icon in  her  homeland, Kenya, what with her gallant campaigns and confrontations against   those whose activities threatened  the environment.This passion led to her recognition  in 2004 with the prestigious Nobel prize,becoming the first African woman to become a Nobel laureate.


Educated in the USA and Germany Prof.Maathai had until her death become synonymous with nature and rights through her activities through The Green Belt Movement which she founded in the 70's.

At the news about her death a barrage of statements have  been issued describing Maathai as an outstanding woman whose activities can be nothing but heroic,including that of president Barrack Obama