Wangari’s simple message of working together echos in her strength of character. She saved her country of Kenya by teaching women and children how to plant trees.  As a young girl in Kenya, Wangari was taught to respect nature. She grew up loving the land, plants, and animals that surrounded her—from the giant mugumo trees her people, the Kikuyu, revered to the tiny tadpoles that swam in the river.

Although most Kenyan girls were not educated, Wangari, curious and hardworking, was allowed to go to school. There, her mind sprouted like a seed. She excelled at science and went on to study in the United States. After returning home, Wangari blazed a trail across Kenya, using her knowledge and compassion to promote the rights of her countrywomen and to help save the land, one tree at a time.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace brings to life the empowering story of Wangari Maathai, the first African woman, and environmentalist, to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Engaging narrative and vibrant images paint a robust portrait of this inspiring champion of the land and of women’s rights.
As a writer, educator, and urban environmentalist, her story inspired Jen to help deepen the connection between people and nature. Jen’s children’s book, Seeds of Change: The Wangari Maathai Story published by Lee & Low gives a percentage of the book sales to help environmental non-profit organizations. Each school visit, writer’s workshop, or author’s reading,  we plant one tree in solidarity with Wangari Maathai and the Greenbelt Movement.

If you are interested in having Jen come to your school, seminar, writing workshop, or book group to read Seeds of Change and help facilitate an environmental awareness, please email her.

Want to know more? Check out Jen’s blog Good Reads for Green Girls.