A leader. A heroine. A hummingbird.

“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.”~Wangar Maathai

Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize died on Sunday of cancer at the age of 71.

A unique and fearless social activist and environmental crusader. She created the Green Belt Movement in 1977, which has planted over 45 millions trees in Kenya to increase national forest cover and restore essential ecosystems.

The world will deeply miss her. Her determination, her passion and her un-relentless care for others and our planet will never be forgotten.

So I say farewell to an incredible woman who redefined what it means to be a leader and a heroine, and whose influence and inspiration have reached farther than anyone could have imagined.

“I am doing the best I can. And that, to me, is what all of us should do. We should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I certainly don’t want to be like the animals watching as the planet goes down the drain. I will be a hummingbird. I will do the best I can.” ~Wangari Maathai

Plant a tree for Wangari Maathai; be a hummingbird!