"Wangari Maathai almost always smiled. She smiles on most of the many pictures taken of her; she invariably smiled when we met her in person. She radiated optimism and happiness. She is smiling no longer.
Some said she only plated trees. How could she get the Nobel Peace Prize for planting trees? True, Wangari Maathai planted trees, millions of trees, to prevent the spread of the desert and to strengthen the environment. By planting the trees she was also able to organize the women of Kenya. Planting trees was also one way for her to combat the country’s dictatorship. Strengthening the environment, organizing women, and promoting democracy that is what Wangari Maathai did. She promoted peace. That was why she became a Nobel Peace Prize laureate."
Wangari Maatahi many times told the story of the little bird bringing a few drops of water to extinguish the big fire in the forest. The bird did what little it could. Wangari Maathai did so much, much more than we had the right to ask of her, but now we have to manage without her.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Oslo, September 26, 2011