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WANGARI MAATHAI WAS BORN APRIL 1ST, 1994. SHE GREW UP IN NYERI, A VILLAGE IN KENYA, WHERE SHE BEGAN HER EDUCATION WITH THE SUPPORT OF HER FAMILY. SHE HAD GREAT LOVE FOR THE TREES OF KENYA AND NOTICED THE DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND 1970. WANGARI IS BEST KNOWN FOR HER ACHIEVEMENT OF THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT, WHERE MILLIONS OF TREES WERE REPLANTED IN KENYA. SHE WAS ALSO THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO RECEIVE A DOCTORATE DEGREE. WANGARI DIED OF CERVICAL CANCER IN 2011, BUT THE MILLIONS OF TREES SHE HELPED REPLANT WILL LIVE ON WITH HER MEMORY.