Wangari Maathai, Benedictine College
Graduated - 1964
Major - Biology

Wangari Maathai has been awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace.

The native of Kenya graduated from Atchison's Mount St. Scholastica College, now Benedictine College (Kan.), with a degree in biology in 1964.

She went on to be Africa's first female Ph.D., found the Green Belt Movement in 1977 and is currently serving as Assistant Minister of Environment, Natural Resources and Wildlife in Kenya. She is the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize.

According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, "Peace on earth depends on our ability to secure our living environment. Maathai stands at the front of the fight to promote ecologically viable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and in Africa. She has taken a holistic approach to sustainable development that embraces democracy, human rights and women's rights in particular. She thinks globally and acts locally."

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