More than 500 people—from across campus and greater Worcester—filled St. Joseph Memorial Chapel on Oct. 25, giving a thunderous welcome to Wangari M. Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement in Kenya and winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr. Maathai, world-renowned environmentalist, delivered her lecture to a rapt audience, many of whom had read her new memoir Unbowed (Knopf), ranging from her childhood and early education in the 1940s, through her political awakening and lifelong struggle for democracy, human rights, and environmental conservation.
Calling her "one of the most significant world figures today," Timothy Austin, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the College, welcomed Dr. Maathai to Holy Cross, and said she exemplifies the key values emphasized in a Jesuit education and reminds us to ask what are our obligations to others and the world’s poor. In his formal introduction, Tom Landy, director of the Lilly Vocation Discernment Initiative, quoted from the Nobel Committee’s citation: "Maathai stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya. Her unique forms of action have contributed to drawing attention to political oppression — nationally and internationally. She has served as inspiration for many in the fight for democratic rights and has especially encouraged women to better their situation."
Speaking directly to the Holy Cross students in the audience, Dr. Maathai spoke about how her life was shaped by her education, 12 years of which was spent being taught by missionary nuns in Africa and Benedictine nuns at St. Scholastica College (now Benedictine College) in Atchison, Kan.
"All my early education was in the hands of people who served God, in the service of something bigger than themselves," she said, adding that it was through school that she learned to serve. And she made a forceful link to her commitment to environmentalism: "As people of faith, we need to be in the forefront of protecting God’s creation."
Audio Downloads
Maathai's lecture is available in MP3 format for download in segments on your computer or MP3 player.
Maathai Part 1 (2.0 MB) :: Total Time - 7:09
Maathai Part 2 (3.5 MB) :: Total Time - 14:39
Maathai Part 3 (3.6 MB) :: Total Time - 14:53
Maathai Part 4 (3.5 MB) :: Total Time - 14:20
Maathai Part 5 (2.2 MB) :: Total Time - 8:46
Related information:
Holy Cross Welcomes Nobel Laureate Maathai
Excerpts from public lecture available to download
Read Time
2 Minutes
