Kenyan environmentalist and human rights campaigner Wangari Maathai has won the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the first African woman to be awarded the peace prize since it was created in 1901.
The prize committee says Mrs. Maathai, Kenya's Deputy Environment Minister, is an example for all Africans fighting for democracy and peace. The delighted 64-year-old professor said the award was completely unexpected.
"This is extremely encouraging to the people of Africa and the African woman," she told the BBC. "It is a recognition of the many efforts of African women, who continue to struggle despite all the problems they face."
In the late 1970s, Mrs. Maathai led a campaign called the Green Belt Movement to plant tens of millions of trees across Africa to slow deforestation. The movement grew to include projects to preserve biodiversity, educate people about their environment, and promote the rights of women and girls.
Known as "The Tree Woman" in Kenya, Mrs. Maathai celebrated by planting a Nandi flame tree in her hometown. She said she was delighted that the vital role of the environment had been recognized.
"The environment is very important in the aspects of peace because when we destroy our resources and our resources become scarce, we fight over that," she said. "I am working to make sure we don't only protect the environment, we also improve governance."
The committee says she has combined science with social engagement and politics and has worked both locally and internationally. She was the 12th woman peace laureate.
A spokesman for the Kenyan government said, "This is a great moment in Kenyan history. We're very proud of her and she deserves all the credit."
Mrs. Maathai beat a record 194 nominations to win the prize. She is the second woman in a row to receive the award. The prize includes 10 million Swedish kronor ($1.3m) and is awarded in Oslo on December 10 each year.