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Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai Quotes

Political Activist

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan political activist and environmentalist who became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Born on April 1, 1940, and passing away on September 25, 2011, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots organization dedicated to environmental conservation and women's rights.

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All People Ifs Needs Environment Government Tree Thinking World Knows Resources Kenya Want Way Children Forests Problem Protect Sometimes Important Land

Famous Wangari Maathai Quotes

“What is really important is to educate people how to protect themselves and how to ensure that, despite their poverty, they can get tested and access drugs. So I just hope that those who can will make those drugs available.”

People Important Poverty Drug Protect Available Access Despite Educate Tested

Author:Wangari Maathai

“For me planting a tree is a very doable thing. It's not complicated, it doesn't require technology, it doesn't require much knowledge, but it can be a very important entry point into communities understanding how they destroy their own resources, but how they can also restore those resources, and not wait for their government or international agencies to come and help them.”

Important Helping Government Waiting Understanding Community Technology Tree Resources International Complicated Agency Entry

Author:Wangari Maathai

“It's very important to remain optimistic and to see the silver lining in everything you do. Because no matter how sometimes things look difficult, and look like there is no hope, there is always a small glimmering of silver lining that is in everything, and I always look for that, and hang on that, and before I know it, another day comes and is gone.”

Knows Looks Important Sometimes Matter Difficult Gone Optimistic Silver No Hope Another Day

Author:Wangari Maathai

“Sometimes when I talk to little children I remind them of the fact that when I was growing up myself, I used to play with frog eggs and tadpoles and I used to walk in the field, I used to literally copy whatever my mother was doing on the land. And that may be the reason why I eventually developed the passion for green and for the Earth. So it is extremely important for adults and especially those who are in charge of cities to make sure that we do not lose touch with the land and with the environment. And especially our children.”

“As a scientist I cannot say we don't want to hear anything about GMOs, because these are advances in science. But I think its also important, especially when you are dealing with food, to be cautious.”

Thinking Want Important Scientist Cautious Gmos Be Cautious Advances In Science

Author:Wangari Maathai

“It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa.”

Important Ideas Differences Making A Difference Initiative New Ideas Nurture Nurturing

Author:Wangari Maathai

“As long as there is no trust and confidence that there will be justice and fairness in resource distribution, political positioning will remain more important than service”

Long Important Political Justice Vision Future Resources Fairness Distribution Sustainable Development No Trust

Author:Wangari Maathai

“It is very important for young people not to be afraid of engaging in areas that are not common to the youth. Get involved in local activities, get involved in local initiatives, be involved in leadership positions because you can’t learn unless you are involved. And if you make mistakes that is alright too because we all make mistakes and we learn from those mistakes. You gain confidence from learning, failing and rising again.”

“We think that diamonds are very important, gold is very important, all these minerals are very important. We call them precious minerals, but they are all forms of the soil. But that part of this mineral that is on top, like it is the skin of the earth, that is the most precious of the commons.”

Thinking Important Earth Form Gold Skins Soil Diamond Minerals

Author:Wangari Maathai

About the Author

Born: April 1, 1940
Died: September 25, 2011
Known for: Political Activist
Quotes: 161

Related Topics

People Ifs Needs Environment Government Tree Thinking World Knows Resources Kenya Want Way Children Forests Problem Protect Sometimes Important Land

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Books & Sources

Replenishing the Earth: Spiritual Values for Healing Ourselves and the WorldRelated source material

The Green Belt Movement: Sharing the Approach and the ExperienceRelated source material

UnbowedRelated source material

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