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Memorial for Wangari Muta Maathai, Tues. November 14th
[ November 14, 2011; 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. ] Wangari Muta Maathai
(1940–2011)
A Memorial Ceremony
Philosopher, environmentalist, educationist, political activist, freedom fighter,
mother, grandmother, guiding light. We will miss her. We will celebrate her. We will
emulate her. We will never forget her.
— H. E. Macharia Kamau, Ambassador and Permanent Representative at Kenya Mission to
United Nations
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WEDO’s Story: “Women’s Group Seeks Environmental Role”
In October of 1990 women from around the globe joined forces to make their voices heard. Their plan was to collectively break through the previously male dominated dialogue and become key players in “policy-making on environmental and developmental issues” where women were previously “invisible”. Among these women were leading environmentalists Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement; Claire Greensfelder of the Earth Institute in California; Vandana Shiva of India and Bella Abzug, founder of the Women’s Environment and Development Organization. This article is one of the first chronicles in a not so distant past, where women’s international diplomatic presence was weak and a few strong souls had the inspiration to change the world.
Bella will forever be in my heart
by Larisa Skuratovskaya, Global Council Member, International Museum of Women, Friend of WEDO
Once, my friend Zossia brought me to meet a young man who’d come to Moscow from Seattle because he’d fallen in love with a Russian girl. The man, Mitchell, and I engaged in common conversation until Zossia told him that I was friends with a few women’s activists from the United States. Mitchell asked me: “Who do you like the best?” “Bella …
Remembering Wangari- In Her Own Words
“The road is long and the battles many… For me it is a journey and I continue to pursue it wherever fate leads me…I learned to rise from the ashes of disappointment and look to the road yet ahead.” – Wangari Maathai
After the passing of our dear friend and mentor, Wangari Maathai, WEDO has spent the past two days reflecting on our fortunate experiences with this incredible woman. In doing so we have un-earthed a piece written by Wangari following the passing of WEDO co-founder Bella Abzug. In it Wangari shares her story, the life of a woman who overcame any obstacle she encountered with a boundless sense of hope. Her strength led her to accomplish unparalleled success in the work of human and women’s rights, not only in her home country of Kenya but around the world. In the attached article from our 1998 newsletter, Wangari explains the hardships endured throughout her journey and how she managed to rise above the corruption and politics, which so fervently worked to silence her voice.
Honoring a Visionary Leader: WEDO Remembers Wangari Maathai
Today, WEDO mourns the loss but celebrates the life of our great friend, visionary, sister and ally, Professor Wangari Maathai, who passed away last night in Nairobi at the age of 71.
“WEDO is greatly saddened by the passing away of Wangari Maathai, and our heartfelt condolences go out to her family. We’ve known her as a co-founder of WEDO, but also as a friend and a teacher to all those who came to WEDO after her. Her actions and courage will live on in all of our hearts to be passed on to future generations who will carry on her work.” – Monique Essed Fernandes, Chair, WEDO Board of Directors
Below, please click to view a slideshow of some of the photos we have of Wangari in our WEDO library. The enduring theme in almost every photo: solidarity, activism, sisterhood, and laughter.
