I will be a hummingbird - Wangari Maathai

Professor Wangari Maathai (1940 -2011), was a Kenyan environmental and political activist  and writer. 

The hummingbird tale was one of her favorite stories. a profound expression of her philosophy about living purposefully in the world. 

 The hummingbird's beak is tiny, but the drops of water it carries help extinguish the forest fire. 

 "That to me is what all of us should do," Mathaai said. "We should always be like a hummingbird. 

Maathai used her public voice to speak at conferences and other high-profile events, and she especially loved speaking to students and children. 

She founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights.

"I may be insignificant, but I certainly don’t want to be like the animals watching the planet go down the drain. I will be a hummingbird, I will do the best I can."

The Green Belt Movement continues to alleviate the needless destruction of the environment across Africa, and support the expansion of parkland and forests. 

In 2004, Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy and peace.