Soror Wangari Maathai
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is deeply saddened by the loss of Honorary Member, Wangari Muta Maathai.
Soror Maatthai dedicated her life struggling for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. Her activism, advocacy, vigilance and commitment earned her a Nobel Peace Prize, making her the first African woman to receive the coveted honor. Her lifelong passion to save the environment elevated her to iconic status and made her the world’s preeminent environmental steward. Her example inspired Alpha Kappa Alpha to intensify its environmental sustainability mission. We will continue our environmental crusade in tribute to her.
She exhibited true strength and courage in her valiant fight to save the environment, and to promote women’s rights, which are two causes that are dear to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Her journey to greatness began in 1977 when she founded the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots environmental non-governmental organization, which has now planted over 30 million trees across Kenya to prevent soil erosion. She came to be affectionately called “Tree Woman” or “The Tree Mother of Africa.”
Being presented the Nobel Peace Prize, which she received in 2004, represented the climactic high point of a life spent bettering the lives of others.
Another milestone was being inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as an honorary member. At the time of the formal induction, Maathai expressed humility and said that the only time she felt so uplifted and transformed was when she was baptized. She said she would cherish membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha “for the rest of my life.”
