Home > Blog

GCAP Tribute: In Memory of Wangari Maathai

Submitted by admin on Mon, 26 Sep 2011 - 17:29

I am writing to share messages from GCAP coalitions and constituencies as we mourn the demise of the visionary and indefatigable leader, Wangari Maathai, who has been a global symbol of strength, hope and conviction in the power of lasting change that is driven by women and local communities.

As the person who redefined how people and governments - not only in Africa but across the world - engaged with the women's rights, democracy and environmental justice, it is only fitting that we dedicate the initiative on 'Women & Climate Justice Tribunals' set to be launched across countries on Oct 15th (Rural Women's Day) to the work and legacy of Wangari Mathai.

I hope that you will join us in sharing your memories and inspirations of this great leader and great woman.

In Solidarity,

Lysa John

GCAP Campaign Director

The following are reactions, memories and heartfelt words to express the sadness felt in the GCAP community following the passing of Wangari Maathai.

"Today is a sad day for Africa and for humanity, as we mourn the loss of our fallen champion, environmentalist, human rights activitist, advocate and Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2007, Wangari Maathai. She epitomised courage, grace, knowledge, hands on action and hope. She fought against the establishment to remove the structural barriers that were militating against change and was able to mobilise ordinary women to stand up and take action against the enemies of the earth and of humanity."

"I listened to one of her interviews when she said that the "spirit is willing but that the body was getting tired." I did not know then that she was struggling with cancer. This disease is causing so much of havoc in our continent and has now snatched away one of our dearest and best."

"I extend my heartfelt sympathy to our Kenyan colleagues, the people of Kenya, particularly the members of the Green Belt movement at the national level and worldwide, to women the world over and to all environmentalists and peace lovers. May her soul rest in perfect peace, Amen!. May the earth that she fought so hard and so gallantly to protect rest gently upon her. Amen!."

Adelaide Sosseh, GCAP Ambassador

"Today we hear the terribly sad news of Wangari Maathai's passing. For all who knew Wangari, close up or through her works and actions, can affirm that she was a true champion for grassroots, rural, impoverished, strong, determined, courageous women. I bring you the news, for those that haven't heard, with reflections and plans to honor her down the line with a bit more time. I had the privilege and true honor to meet and work with Wangari the years after I joined WEDO in 1997, so it's a personal mourning. As we plan to honor her here in NY, let us also think of how we as FTF let's should think of how to honor her work, her legacy and her vision."

Rosa Lizarde, Feminist Task Force

“She had a unique ability to be comfortable in pushing the cause of justice when she was working with and engaging with Prime Ministers, Heads of State and Presidents and so on, but she was equally comfortable and in fact more comfortable in engaging with ordinary people and I think that is a rare quality that we all should aspire to and one that she reflfected and inspired in many of us”

Kumi Naidoo, GCAP Ambassador

For an audio tribute by Kumi Naidoo on the BBC please click here.

"I am deeply saddened to hear about Wangari's passing... she was, at one point in the mid 90's, a member of the EarthAction Network's International Steering Committee and her insights were central to building our network at the time. I did not meet her personally, but I have admired her work for the past couple of decades. It's a great loss for the environmental cause worldwide."
Viviane Castro

"In July 2005 Wangari Maathai addressed thousands in Edinburgh at the Live8 concert there that followed the Make Poverty History rally ahead of the G8 summit - an important landmark for GCAP campaigning across the world."
"Afterwards we arranged for her to send an email to the hundreds of thousands of supporters on our email list. She said: "I was touched and inspired by the number of people who were there and the millions more they represented in the UK. I was proud to see the way people around the world are standing shoulder to shoulder with us in Africa to call for an end to extreme and dehumanizing poverty. The strength of your voices and the actions you have taken has been a testament to the power of peaceful mass mobilisation. You have helped get the issues of extreme poverty onto the political agenda like never before." She was clear that it was because of the public taking action that: "the G8 have taken the first steps on the road to ending injustices that lead to extreme poverty. There is still much of this difficult journey to complete - but the first steps are always the hardest to take. You should be proud of what you have achieved - many people will live because of you."

"We remember her life, her support of Make Poverty History, Live8 and GCAP, and the inspiration for action she was and will continue to be for many years to come."
Glen Tarman, GCAP Global Council, Head of Policy and Advocacy, Bond

"I had the good fortune to meet twice the late Wangari Mathai and on both occasions I found her to be a true inspiration. Deeply committed to what she believed to be her calling but also willing to listen to and share in other people's dreams. An amazing woman truly. Her loss is not only to her country of birth but to the whole continent and to women everywhere. May her soul rest in perfect peace."

Fatou Bensouda

"Hermanas y hermanos.... This is indeed a sad story for our dear friend is now not with us here on earth anymore. Yet, her spirit, her work, her wisdom and call are with us, for us to live by and to respond. She rests and is in accomaniment to us. Let us not lose our step."

Love,

Marta Benavides, GCAP Co-Chair

"Reading these news is like a razing blade going through a heart, it’s a truly a dark day for Africa, I didn’t know Wangari but I celebrated her award as the first African women to be given Nobel Peace Prize. My sincere condolences to her family, Kenyan community."

Ms Phelisa Nkomo

"What a sad shock this is for me, I did not know Wangari was ill. My heartful condolences to all who knew her and (like me) were inpsired by her..."

Sylvia Borren, GCAP Co-Chair

"We at the NDWPD has lost a rare gem, i met with her at COP 15, and she was waiting for my invitation to visit us at the grassroots for possible collaboration on environmental issues. Our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Greenbelt Movement, Kenyans and Africans. May her Soul rest in the Bosom of the Lord."

The Niger Delta Women's Movement For Peace and Development

Please keep following this space for more responses and updates from the GCAP community. To share your thoughts please send emails to:

zach.hongola(at)whiteband.org.

For other reactions and stories regarding the death of Wangari Maathai please follow these links:

From CNN

From the AP