Honoring Kenya’s Wangarĩ Muta Maathai
In 2015, MGA Entertainment founded National S.T.E.M./S.T.E.A.M. Day to inspire students in the world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
On the 6th anniversary of this U.S. celebration, in the spirit of our increasingly popular and influential Youth Veterinarian Initiative, we’re honoring the achievements of Wangarĩ Muta Maathai.
Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya in 1940. Among the numerous “firsts” that she accomplished during her lifetime, we especially acknowledge the fact that she was the first African woman to earn a Ph.D. in veterinary anatomy (University of Nairobi) and the first to chair a university department of veterinary anatomy (University of Nairobi).
Other illustrious achievements include:
- Founding the Green Belt Movement, a non-governmental organization that encourages women to plant trees to combat deforestation and environmental degradation (1977).
- Chairing the National Council of Women of Kenya (1981-1987).
- Being elected to Kenya’s parliament with an overwhelming 98% of the vote (2002).
- Winning the Nobel Peace Prize for her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace” (2004).
Maathai died from complications secondary to ovarian cancer in 2011.
