Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004

October 8

On October 8, 2004, Environmentalist Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Wangari Maathai received higher education in the U.S., earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Shortly thereafter, Maathai returned to Africa to continue her education where she became the first woman in East and Central Africa with a doctorate degree. 

Maathai went on to become an influential figure and environmentalist in Africa. Her accomplishments include forming the Green Belt Movement, which helped to plant 30 million trees in Kenya over a 30-year span.

In 2004, Wangari Maathai made history as the first African woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

Maathai died in 2011 at the age of 71.

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Sources

A&E Television Networks. (n.d.). Kenyan environmentalist and human rights campaigner Wangari Maathai wins Nobel peace prize | October 8, 2004. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/wangari-maathai-wins-nobel-peace-prize