She actively worked to preserve the environment and was heavily involved in women's rights. Wangari drew much inspiration from the civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements that were occurring in the United States. She graduated from three different universities and, in 1971, became the first East African woman to earn a doctorate. She motivated the women to plant trees and in return they received a salary. In 2004, Ms. Maathai received a Nobel Peace Prize for her “struggle to promote ecologically sustainable social, economic and cultural development in Kenya and Africa” (nobelprize.org). He continued to work for democracy and peace until his death