Wangari Muta Maathai, nicknamed “the woman who planted trees,” was born on April 1, 1940, in Ihithe and passed away on September 25, 2011, in Nairobi, Kenya. She was a biologist, professor of anatomy in veterinary medicine, political activist, and environmentalist. On October 8, 2004, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace” in recognition of her efforts against deforestation in Kenya. She was the first African woman to receive this distinction.