Join World Pulse in Joyful Celebration of Wangari Maathai

On September 25th, 2011, the world lost a great leader. The emotional outpouring at the news of Wangari Maathai’s death highlighted the Kenyan activist’s global influence as a Nobel laureate, a politician, a scientist, a professor; as a pioneering environmentalist, a voice for her people, and as a women’s empowerment advocate. Above all, she will be remembered as the soul of an enduring movement.

World Pulse invites you to post your tribute to Wangari Maathai to your PulseWire journal.

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

Wangari Maathai may have viewed tree planting as a little thing. But through her vision and determination, and the legions of women she inspired, one tree turned into over 40 million. She raised the bar for what’s possible; for what we can and should expect of ourselves—and of each other. Today the Green Belt Movement she founded is alive and well, with its sights set on planting a billion trees—while empowering women to become stewards of the environment and their societies.

Beyond the official Green Belt Movement, ordinary individuals are carrying on her legacy in their own ways. In the days following Wangari’s passing, PulseWire was flooded with touching tributes. Some from women who had met Wangari personally. Others who have felt her impact from across the globe.

Add your voice to the chorus. Have you been inspired by Wangari Maathai? What “little thing” do you have to offer the planet? Is it a tree? A poem or reflection? A letter to a future generation? An idea or call to action?

Read PulseWire community members' reflections on Wangari Maathai.