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International Women's Day: Wangari Maathai's story goes on through Wangari Maathai Day

As International Women's Day approaches, I'm remembering my time with the late Wangari Maathai, a woman who inspired me to see the value in small actions, to laugh in the face of hardship and, whatever the challenge, never to give up.  Now Africa Environment Day will also be "Wangari Maathai Day", so that millions can continue to be inspired by her for years to come.

Wangari Maathai and Linda Solomon pictured outside Maathai's home, which was also the headquarters of the International Greenbelt Movement, in 1994.

As International Women's Day approaches, the African Union has announced that March 3rd, Africa Environment Day, will "henceforth be conjunction with remembering Prof. Wangari Maathai."  Calling her "an illustrous daughter of the African continent who spent her entire life promoting and protecting human well-being through her pioneering Green Belt Movement and grass-roots activism, inspiring people to promote sustainable development."  It goes on to say that combining Africa Environment Day with Wangari Maathai Day is "a fitting tribute to the values she steadfastly stood for." It will also serve as a motivation and a beacon of hope for people around the world.

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