BOONE—Appalachian State University’s Appalachian African Community will honor the life and memory of Wangari Maathai Thursday, Nov. 17, at 12:30 p.m. at Durham Park on campus.

Maathai, a globally recognized champion for human rights and women’s empowerment, died in September. The event is co-hosted by the Office of Sustainability, Women’s Center and Minority Men’s Leadership Circle.

A reception for those wishing to learn more about Maathai and for those interested in starting a university tree fund will be held afterwards at B.B. Dougherty Administration Building.  Donations toward the cost of the tree will be accepted during the event and at the reception.

A short opening introduction to the life and accomplishments of Wangari Maathai, remarks by the hosting organizations and a Swahili vocal performance will culminate in the planting of a tree beside Kraut Creek in Durham Park.

Professor Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her Green Belt Movement that resulted in more than 40 million trees being planted in communities across east Africa. She was a pioneer in articulating the links between human rights, poverty, environmental protection and security.

Maathai used conservation efforts as a means of improving communities’ quality of life, empowering thousands of women, and promoting peace and democracy in her home country of Kenya.

“This event is an important gesture by Appalachian State University that shows how much we care about a global champion for the environment, women and developing nations,” said student Fielding Russell, vice president of the Appalachian African Community.  “Despite being a global icon and a U.N. Messenger of Peace, so few Americans, or even Africans, for that matter, know who Maathai was or what she did.  The Appalachian African Community is saddened by her passing, but grateful for this opportunity to honor her and share her legacy with the campus and the Boone community.”

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