In 2004, Dr. Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She is internationally recognized for her tireless advocacy over several decades for environmental conservation, human rights, and democracy. Dr. Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya in 1940 and in 1971 became the first East African woman to earn a PhD. As the founder of the Green Belt Movement, Dr Maathai has encouraged citizens, especially women, to plant over 30 million trees n their communities. Dr Maathai has received countless honors, including France's highest honor, the Legion d'Honneur, and being named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2005. She was elected Member of Parliament in Kenya in December 2002 and was subsequently appointed Assistant Minister for the Environment.