East Garfield Park in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Who is Wangari Maathi?

Wangari Maathai Natural Garden at The Al Raby School for Community & Environment

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 28, 2026

1. Who is Wangari Maathi? Marker

Inscription. Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work to empower communities worldwide to protect the environment and to promote cultures of peace. Dr. Maathai was the first woman in East Africa to earn a PhD. She is currently a member of Kenya's Parliament and served as the Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.

Location. 41° 53.172′ N, 87° 42.911′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in East Garfield Park. It is on West Fulton Boulevard east of Central Park Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is to the left of the north entrance into Al Raby School for Community & Environment. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3545 West Fulton Boulevard, Chicago IL 60624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: What's in the Garden? (within shouting distance of this marker); Garfield Park (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Garfield Park (about 500 feet away); The Boulevard System (about 600 feet away); Okra: A Plant with a Powerful Story / Okra: una planta con una historia poderosa

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Corn: The Heart of Many Cultures / El maíz: el corazón de muchas culturas (approx. 0.2 miles away); Garfield Park Natural Area (approx. 0.2 miles away); City Garden (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Regarding Who is Wangari Maathi?. Wangari Maathi died in 2011 at the age of 71 due to complications from ovarian cancer.

Also see . . .
1. About Wangari Maathi. A bio from the Wangari Maathi Foundation. (Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Al Raby School official site. (Submitted on March 2, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Who is Wangari Maathi? Marker in front of Al Raby School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 28, 2026

2. Who is Wangari Maathi? Marker in front of Al Raby School

Former home of Lucy Flower Technical High School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, February 28, 2026

3. Former home of Lucy Flower Technical High School

The building was erected in 1927 to house the Lucy Flower Technical High School for Girls, which had originally opened in 1911 and was named after a children's rights advocate. The school became coed in 1978 and closed in 2004. Today it is the home of a high school called Al Raby School for Community & Environment.

Wangari Maathi (1940-2011) image. Click for full size.

Kingkongphoto, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), 2001

4. Wangari Maathi (1940-2011)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 45 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 28, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.