RIP Wangari Maathai, Nobel laureate who helped plant trees here

Just heard that the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, environmental/economic/social justice advocate Dr. Wangari Maathai, has died of cancer at age 71 in a Kenyan hospital. Hundreds of West Seattleites have special reason to remember her:

That photo is from four years ago, in September 2007, when Dr. Maathai came here for Earth Summit II. For some of our earliest WSB video coverage, we recorded her helping students from three local schools plant trees at Pelly Place Ravine. (And here’s a great photo of that day, from West Seattle-based, internationally renowned photographer Art Wolfe.) During her lifetime, her community-based-tree-planting advocacy through the Green Belt Movement was credited for more than 40 million new trees.

mookie September 26, 2011 (4:29 am)

I was sad to hear of her passing, but what a life, and what a difference she made to so many people. True spirit, intelligence, action and generosity – she is and always will be one of my heroes.

Trileigh September 26, 2011 (6:33 am)

Wangari Maathai is one of my heroes as well as one of the world’s. I use her example in my classes to show students what a single individual can do with a simple, powerful idea. And I had no idea she had come right to my own neighborhood, West Seattle! May she rest in peace.

CEA September 26, 2011 (8:26 am)

She had a very powerful impact on my daughter when she was at Gatewood Elementary school, and I feel grateful for that influence. The world needs more women of Dr. Maathai’s caliber.

Ivan Weiss September 26, 2011 (8:43 am)

Thank you, Tracy, for recognizing Dr. Maathai’s significance.

cass September 26, 2011 (9:09 am)

A visionary and a hero, the earth will miss her, but I take comfort in knowing how many kids she touched and how they will help keep her message alive. Thanks for posting this, Tracy!

The Velvet Bulldog September 26, 2011 (10:48 am)

Saw her speak in Seattle a few years ago and was so moved and inspired by her story and her strength. What a friend this planet has lost.

rawkergrrrl September 26, 2011 (1:00 pm)

I was wondering why the flagpole by the WS farmers market was flying at half mast yesterday. Was it to honor this great lady?

WSB September 26, 2011 (1:13 pm)

RawkerG, looks like word only started getting out late last night – first Google News reference, from a source in Africa, was sometime after 9 pm our time Sunday night:
http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/Story.aspx?Id=74675
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So probably not. The governor’s website often proscribes half-staff flag-flying, haven’t checked there yet.
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TR

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