2007-9-14

File Picture: Kenya Environmental Protection Supporter Wangari Maathai

As reported by Reuters, this 64-year-old Kenya environmentalist Maathai became the first African female Nobel Peace Prize Laureate on Friday. And 30 million trees was planted widespread Africa under the "Green Belt Movement"she launched.

The Norwegian Evaluation Committee commended her contribution in the awarding bulletin to "sustainable development, democracy and peace". Upon hearing the news, Kenya Assistant Environmental Minister Maathai, told the Norwegian Television, "Thank you very much and I'm so surprised and excited that I can win the prize."

Maathai was born in 1940 and in 1977 initiated "Green Belt Movement", which was committed to promoting biological diversity and creating job opportunities for women to enhance their social status. Under the project, 30 million trees have been planted and thousands employees were recruited to the maintenance agency, including a number of women. She said, "We're liable for the ecological system of these plants, without them, we won't survive either."

This notable biologist was appointed the first female biologist professor of University of Nairobi in 1971, and latter elected the president of the Biological Academy. In 1978, she won the Germany academic exchange scholarship, the first female winner of the East Africa of this scholarship. Afterwards she was granted Doctoral Degree of Biologist.

As the green party member, Maathai was elected senator in the initial free election in Kenya in December 2002. In January 2003, she was appointed Assistant Environmental Minister, in charge of natural resources protection. Recently she was conferred the title of "seniority holding a flaming spear".