“The blog entries that follow for the next few weeks will examine history. The Bentari Project hopes that you will enjoy our examination—a trip through time and across continents and oceans: a journey to honor February. It is African-American and Black History Month![1]”

We first posted entries to honor Black History Month in 2011. One of our favorite pieces that year was about Dr. Wangari Maathai, Africa’s “Mother of Trees.”[2]

This hero left our world on September 25, 2011. Dr. Maathai set a wonderful example for us with her perseverance, her education and her superior work to improve women’s lives through environmental conservation. Genius!

Women in her Green Belt Movement planted 20 million trees on their farms! That is a lot of work, but think of the benefit to the soil and the air.

Dr. Maathai also taught veterinarian studies, showing her deep love of animals as well as her heroic conservation leadership.

Trees, animals, strong women who can lead and battling long odds—these and other exciting themes dwell among the pages of Bentari.

Dr. Wangari Maathai was (and will always be) an important inspiration for the Bentari Project. We hope you enjoy learning from her, too.[3]

Photo: from the Greenbelt Movement website (with apologies to the unknown photographer)

[1] Review our first Black History post from Jan. 22, 2011 at: http://bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=808

[2] See our Feb. 10, 2011 entry at: http://bentari.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?pid=276&bid=51&beid=823

[3] Read her Memoir, available at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/187-1841756-5119811?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Unbowed+%3A+a+memoir and at Powell’s Books at: http://www.powells.com/s?kw=unbowed%2C+a+memoir&class=