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Ms Wangari Maathai has inspired such beneficial action, as can be seen in this film ‘Taking Root.’ The small action of planting trees has grown and evolved into an amazingly beneficial movement. Ms Wangari Maathai is a genuine and strong lady, with outstanding qualities.
Her actions are humbling to all of humanity. The humming bird storey, by Wangari Maathai, says so much of her approach.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHtFM1XEXas
This production is so extraordinary. The story of courageous people, with mindful determination, is bound together artfully and factually. Woven into the documentary is the powerful legacy of European domination. (..thank you Jared Diamond) Wangari Maathai's education and her strength of character helped her and those around her to keep on keeping on in the midst of greed, let-the-bigger-gun-win culture, and simple lack of forsight where deforestation was rampant. Thank you for this one hour of Independent Lens. Just when I think I've seen video production at it's finest, another program comes along that raises the bar even higher.
Wangari, you are AMAZING! Thank you for celebrating Shaklee's planting of one million trees with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Shaklee's CEO, Roger Barnett in CA on Earth Day 2009. Here is the clip if anyone wants to see it: http://gov.ca.gov/speech/12119 Please click on my name/link for more about Wangari Maathai and Shaklee.
WOW! What an incredible brave woman and what a moving story. I almost didn't watch this and I'm so glad I did. It touched my life. I'm encouraging others to try to see it but it's only on again at 1:30 in the AM (Philadelphia).
I loved this documentary about Wangari Maathai. I remember when she was awarded the Nobel Peace prize and I remember thinking to myself it is great she is pro environment but why give her the peace prize. Now I understand fully the incredible woman that she is and the difference she has made in the lifes of the Kenyan people. She is smart, strong and resilient! What a powerful combination. This was a great film. I am telling all my friends to watch it.
Sincerely,
Barb
I watched this beautiful, hope inspiring, powerful story sitting upright on my bed with tears streaming down my face. It made me want to go out and start a grassroots womens movement to try and channel the powerful and beautiful spirit of women in this country. It is just what we need. To use planting of trees and women as a spiritual focal point of the earths renewal, healing and protection; symbolically translating into personal renewal and healing, spreading to families, groups, communities and national pride. Then with together with new eyes, minds and hearts, combined with education; light upon light; can cause a collective renewal of spirit and pride that is awe-inspiring; and I hope it spreads as a global wildfire! A most beautiful, powerful, hopeful and inspiring woman! Wow! Thank you PBS for bringing us such stories around our World!
What a pretty woman! A smile that wows, the persona of someone who has thought it out, made a plan and brought it forward to bring about the greatest good. Oh, dear God, that someone would bring such a change to Haiti. I watch a program called "Love A Child" on TV and just wonder how anyone can live feeding their children dirt patties! If their mothers could plant trees they could feed their children again. Would Ms. Maathai be interested in helping them?
PBS is the only network that has something worth sharing. This story is just what the world should be aware of at this time of economic, social, and political chaos. Keeping focus on what really matters in life is what this story teaches us. Wangari, there is a special spot reserved for you in Heaven. Your legacy will go down in history, and not soon be forgotten. Kenya, you are sooooooo lucky to have such an extraordinary citizen. She deserves all of the support you can give her. Thanks again PBS, you're the best.
Way to go Ms.Mathai!!! when people from all walks of life in Africa realize that trees are one of the most important plants that help bring rain, then Africa would be a better place to live. Cutting down of trees is like cutting off the oxygen that we breath! If we do that the outcome is death. But Margaret Maathai has all along tried to pass the message along to the point of risking her own life. Mine is a compliment to professor Hon. Maathai for a well job done down the years without relenting. Let us pass the message around and plant trees as much as we can.
Steve Mathuku
Dallas Texas, USA
This was the most inspiring story I have seen in ages. I felt so proud to be a woman! What courage! To overcome all the social conditioning we are subjected to and to overcome so many obstacles is amazing. I feel she is on a God-inspired mission. I have always felt that missionaries did a great disservice to indigenous cultures in their zeal to spread The Word. This program confirmed my feelings. Indigenous people in North America have experienced similar cultural destruction by Western Imperialist powers. My emotions spanned both extremes of the continuum, as I watched the injustices perpetrated by colonists and government against the Kenyan people, and the strength and courage of the mothers of freedom corner and others protesting government corruption. I feel this woman has the right message for our world at this time. Hopefully, her message of caring for each other and our planet will spread through out the world.
I have never felt such pride in my entire 36 years of life. I felt that this incredible story should be required viewing for children in all the world schools.
To think that someone so unassuming and undervalued in that particular society, was capable of effecting such an epic change. Thank you PBS, for bringing this story to television. My 10 year old is getting a valued lesson in life from watching these programs with me.
Thank you PBS and Independent Lens for another inspirational and compelling documentary!
This film brought me to tears of sadness, joy and hope. I believe it is the best documentary film I've ever seen. Wangari Maathai is my heroine. One candle in the dark can light the world on fire. I want to share it with everyone.
I was blown away by this special and resiliant and enduring spirt of this great woman. This story should certainly serve as an inspiration to all mankind and was deeply touched by her dedication to causes of both conservation and humanity. I pray Gods best for Wangari Maathai and for all who made it possible for this documentary to be shared with the world!!
People often say that one person can't make a difference so why bother. Dr. Wangari Maathai's lifetime achievements refute that statement. She is such an inspiration!
I see a correlation between the protests that she led in Kenya to change a corrupt government and the peaceful demonstrations at the tea parties all across America today.
Thank you Dr. Maathai, it would be an honor to meet you and shake your hand.
This is very informative and insightful. I knew about the Green Belt Movement but I did not know that Wangari was involve in social and environmental change for her country. I have use the Greenbelt Movement information in my Middle School, the High School and in college. She was on of the candidates that I selected during Women's History Month for students to research. When is this program available for purchase? I would like because to use it in my college class for an analysis on feminism.
Editors note:
Home DVD copies of TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai are available from:
Takingrootfilm.com
Educational DVD copies of TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai are available from:
New Day Films
Thanks you so much for airing this documentary. I had just finished watching Frontline's "Children of the Taliban," and Wangari's life and personality were the perfect antidote to the death-lovers in Pakistan. Hers is real courage, real bravery--not to spit on the life of others because things are not exactly as one wants, but to act to make life better for everyone, without the promise of paradise, without the nasty sensation of power from hurting others.
Until I saw this documentary, I had no idea the range of political activism she has been engaged in. She certainly deserves that Nobel and her life story should be shared with as many children as possible.
I saw her interview last night on PBS and I was move with emotion for this lady and her struggles to save her hometown of the deforestation the government was doing. She seemed to me that she is strong as the trees she is planting. If she has not yet received the Nobel Peace Price, please sign her up and let me sign. Ms Maathai is a remarkable lady and a great inspiration to us all. She transcends cultural barriers. She is a wonderful example to women of how in a peace and law biting citizen can accomplish with pure passion in what she believe! I am thankful to PBS to bring this wonderful people into our lives.
Sincerely,
Wangari Maathai is one of the bravest women of this century. She started a movement with nothing but her courage, brains,determination, and the love of her country. I am working in my own community...making change, and there are times when I get down and I look for inspiration. Last night the inspiration can in the form of "Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai". Today I will carry the uplifting spirit of Wangari in my heart and soul. If I find myself slipping into a mental challenge I will go back to story of "Taking Root and the magnificent Wangari Maathai. Thank you PBS for bring this inspiration to me.
Thank you for this inspiring look into the essence of courage. Wangari Maathai's story is easily as inspiring as Gandhi, King, Mandela and Tutu. Someday the corrupt brokering of resources by national dictators will end. When hard-working policemen and soldiers lose their fear, stop taking orders, get a conscience and plant trees, as in post President Moi Kenya ...THAT'S when the world will turn a corner. More women like Wangari must show us the way.
The film was great and Wangari Maathai is a beautiful person who stood up for what she believed in and made an overwhelming difference in her country. Through her actions, words and wisdom, the people of Kenya can learn and aspire to make differences as well. I can truly say that Ms. Wangari Maathai has inspired me to be and make the changes I wish to see in the world.
What a magnificent role model Wangari is to women everywhere. Having lived in Kenya for a few years 99-01 I had the opportunity to witness first hand the deforestation of the forests around Dundori and also the total ruin of the roads from the government's trucks transporting the trees. So I have nothing but praise and gratefulness for this courageous and committed woman and those who serve with her.
Bwana si fi we!
Wow, what a truly remarkable person! It's the few heroes like Wangari Maathai who provide me with hope that the "good guys" may actually win.
This was a great special and timely also. Wangari teaches us through words & actions how important we all are. Through her insights and love of nature she has shown us how to respect not only our planet,but also people. We living beings, plants & people, are all linked. The failing of nature, due to our bad stewardship, reflects the wearing away of our morals & ethics. We people have to not be afraid to "do the right thing". One voice of reason can affect others. Thank you, Ms. Maathai for your courage and strength to speak when others are silent. Your voice gives strength to many!
Congratulations on this evening's Taking Root. What an amazing woman, well deserving of the Nobel prize. This is my first encounter with Independent Lens, I will mark my tv guide in future so as not to miss the next.
Thank you.
I Thank you PBS this was very good. I think Wangari is an African leader that inspire all of us to do better.If only African leaders of today could disappear and some women take the lead.Its a dream for most of mothers and sisters in africa.Thanks again and god bless.
Hi Wangari!!! Great JOB!!!! Thank you for everything and for helping Shaklee to plant one million trees as well!!! We LOVE you!
I commend Dr. Wangari Maathai for her fighting spirit. I believe we need more of her kind in Kenya. The leaders are a disgrace as it is even with multi party system. We need her to spearhead civic education and encourage grassroot action to empower people to stand for their rights, our elected leaders are total dissapointment -- all of them! What a mess, the make Baba Moi look like Pope.
Very inspirational. Wonderful piece on how a single,determined voice can make a difference.
i dont think that history has been fair to anyone, ever. but to see this woman and those around her rise above and right the way of the world on her home ground brought tears to my eyes for their pain and tears for their accomplishment.
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