Wangari Maathai was a renowned Kenyan environmentalist, political activist, and Nobel laureate. Born in 1940, she founded the Green Belt Movement, which focused on environmental conservation and women's rights. Maathai was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts in sustainable development, democracy, and peace. She was a fearless advocate for social justice and played a significant role in promoting environmental awareness globally. Maathai passed away in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and empowerment.