The Rhetorical Legacy of Wangari Maathai

The Rhetorical Legacy of Wangari Maathai is a beautiful tribute to this Nobel Peace Prize winner and the idea that one person—or even one fabled hummingbird—can make a powerful difference. After completing this book, the reader will never think the same way about the importance of trees, our relationships with the earth, and the roles of rhetoric, culture, and spirituality in environmental justice movements. Specifically, this book makes important contributions and can be useful in courses that consider the intersections of environmentalism, feminism, and human rights; the role of rhetoric in social movements; intercultural communication; environmentalism as a “justice” issue; and the role of spirituality and religion in environmental justice work. -- Navita Cummings James, University of South Florida
What a gift! We need to have the words of this wise woman to guide us as we navigate a tumultuous time. Wangari Maathai advocated environmental activism as a path for healing on multiple levels. This book helps us to better understand that passion and her world view connecting nature and indigenous communities with the social—and social justice. Thank you to the editors for crafting a project that recognizes critical importance her vision and for giving voice to an African woman’s lived experience. -- Karla D. Scott, St. Louis University