Wangari Muta Maathai

Wangari Muta Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist, politician, and women's rights activist. She was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she won in 2004 for her efforts to promote democracy and sustainable development in Kenya. Maathai was a key figure in the Green Belt Movement, which she founded in 1977 to empower communities to take charge of their environment. She was also a vocal advocate for women's rights and democracy in Africa. Maathai passed away in 2011, but her legacy continues to inspire people around the world.