Professor Wangari Muta Maathai (1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011) was a renowned Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on tree planting, conservation, and women's rights. Her work was often met with fierce opposition from the Moi regime. She also served as the Member of Parliament for Tetu Constituency and as an Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources between 2003 and 2007.