Wangari Maathai: Biography and Visit to Meredith College

Wangari Muta Maathi was born in Kenya in 1940. In 1964 she obtained her Biological Sciences degree from Mount St. Scholastica College. In 1966 she earned her Master of Sciences degree from the University of Pittsburgh and she pursued her doctoral studies in Germany at the University of Nairobi. She thus became the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctoral degree of any kind. Maathai became the chair of the department of Ventinary Anatomy at the University of Nairobi in 1976. From 1976-1987 she was active in the National Council of Woman in Kenya. It was here that she introduced planting trees with woman in order to conserve the environment and improve the quality of life. Her incitive turned into a movement known as the Pan African Green Belt. Throughout her journey Wangari endured jailings, beatings and personal loses. Wangari Maathi will be visiting Meredith College on October 1,2009. This is part of Meredith's presidential lecture. The location of the event will occur in the McIver Amphitheater at 7pm. Make Plans To Attend!!!