fbpx
Skip to content

San Francisco Bay Area Says Farewell to Wangari Maathai

November 18, 2011

The Goldman Environmental Foundation and the Green Belt Movement hosted a memorial service for 1991 Goldman Prize winner Wangari Maathai on Wednesday night. The service was held at the Delancey Street Theatre in San Francisco.

Leaders from the environmental and business communities as well as individuals who had known and supported her work shared heartfelt eulogies. Speakers at the event included: Douglas Goldman, president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation; Roger Barnett, CEO of Shaklee Corporation; Musimbi Kanyoro, CEO of the Global Fund for Women; and former Vice President Al Gore. Bay Area musician Melanie Demore performed an original version of the spiritual “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.”

Following the service, guests mingled and shared personal stories of Maathai. Many spoke of her trademark radiant smile, her fearless nature, and an incredible ability to inspire others to achieve the insurmountable.

“Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt movement planted over 40 million trees around the world, but the most important ones she planted are the ones that are taking root among all the environmental activists fighting to protect our natural resources,” said Doug Goldman.

Related Posts

Women Environmental Leaders throughout History


March 7, 2024

Women are critical defenders of their communities and environments. Join us in learning about some of their stories. Rachel Carson Perhaps the mother of the American environmental movement, Rachel Carson (1907-1964) set into motion a global awakening to the dangers of chemical pesticides (she, of course, preceded the Goldman Prize). A marine biologist and nature…

Read more

Three Black Environmental Leaders You Should Know


February 20, 2024

We celebrate the contributions of Black leaders to the environmental movement in the United States and around the world. Join us in learning about some of their stories. Sharon Lavigne Environmental justice advocate Sharon Lavigne (United States, 2021) successfully stopped the construction of a $1.25 billion plastics manufacturing plant in St. James Parish, Louisiana. The…

Read more

The 35th Goldman Environmental Prize is Monday, April 29, 2024


January 9, 2024

The Goldman Environmental Prize is excited to share that the 2024 Prize winners will be announced on Monday, April 29. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Goldman Prize. The Prize winners will be celebrated at live ceremonies following Earth Week: at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco on Monday, April 29, and at…

Read more