Women’s History Month: Spotlight on Wangari Maathai – The Woman Who Planted a Forest

Born: April 1, 1940
Died: September 25, 2011

“It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.” — Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai was an environmental and women’s rights activist from Kenya who founded the Green Belt Movement, which planted over 50 million trees and empowered women through sustainability. She became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, proving that protecting the planet and fighting for social justice go hand in hand.

Why She Inspires Us Today
Wangari teaches us that small acts create massive change. She reminds us that every step we take in the right direction—no matter how small—makes an impact.

To win the Nobel Peace Prize or plant 50 million trees may seem like a far off fantasy, but that doesn’t mean we should not take the first step toward our calling. Every dream begins with a single step forward. I imagine that had Wangari dreamed of planting all 50 million trees at once, she would have been too overwhelmed to start. Yet, by simply committing and starting the process of planting, she was hugely successful.

What is one small action you can take today that is the direction of your dream life? Take it. “It’s the little things.”