Wangari Muta Maathai (1940 – 2011)

In Memoriam, by Alison Van Dyk

The Temple of Understanding Board of Trustees is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a great leader of the International Environmental Movement, and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Wangari Muta Maathai. I first met Dr. Maathai in 1988 at the co-sponsored Temple of Understanding and Forum for Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders Conference in Oxford, UK. But it was not until years later when she came to New York that Board member Mary Davidson and friend, Daniel Martin and others informally introduced me to her. This was the early 1990’s when the GBM was building support by organizing trips to Africa.

Although I was not able to go on one of those trips, I was impressed by Wangari’s keen insight into the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation. She had a way of cutting to the essential core of every issue and acting on them: women’s rights as they are related to planting trees for instance. At the TOU, we are carrying on Wangari’s inspiration to create an ethical framework for sustainable development deliberations at the United Nations.

In 2001 Wangari agreed to be a Hollister Award recipient. The event was scheduled for 9-11-01 so Wangari was in New York when the Twin Towers were hit. The energy and grief of that day was devastating but Wangari, who always looked for the silver lining in any situation, was glad that she could be there for a friend who lost a son in one of the towers.

Our Hollister Award Ceremony was rescheduled for 2002. We honored both Dr. Wangari Maathai and Dr. Thomas Berry. Looking back on this event, I realize that we were so fortunate to have brought together two luminaries of the environmental movement. I am quite certain that Wangari’s work, like Tom’s, will grow and strengthen as more people learn about the Green Belt Movement after her passing.

To me, Wangari was truly an enlightened soul whose presence illuminated each of us with a desire to return to our roots, to nature, and to that which sustains us. She had a presence that touched everyone who met her, enabling them to see their own path a little more clearly. May she rest in Peace.

Thomas Berry (1914 – 2009)

Thomas Berry (1914 – 2009)

In Memoriam Thomas Berry, Environmentalist, Priest, Eco-Theologian, passed away early on the morning of June 1st, 2009 at Wellspring home in Greensboro, North Carolina. He died peacefully and with family at his side. Fr. Berry was a Hollister Award Recipient and...

Dr. Suheil Badi Bushrui (1929 – 2015)

Dr. Suheil Badi Bushrui (1929 – 2015)

In Memoriam The Temple of Understanding is deeply grateful for the service of Dr. Suheil Badi Bushrui on our Council of Trustees. Dr. Bushrui was a peacemaker and scholar. He is well-known for his work on the Lebanese-American author and poet Kahlil Gibran, and his...

Jane S. Baron Rechtman (1950 – 2016)

Jane S. Baron Rechtman (1950 – 2016)

In Memoriam The Temple of Understanding fondly remembers interfaith educator Jane Rechtman, who served on our Council of Trustees. Ms. Rechtman taught world religions and bioethics at The Masters School in New York and published many articles and books, including...

Ibrahim Abdul Mu’id Ramey (1949 – 2015)

Ibrahim Abdul Mu’id Ramey (1949 – 2015)

In Memoriam Our long-time Board member, Ibrahim Abdul Mu’id Ramey passed to the higher life on Friday December 11, 2015. Ibrahim was a lifelong peace activist. He served in leadership roles in the Fellowship of Reconciliation for over a decade, as well as being...

Joan Kirby, RSCJ (1926 – 2015)

Joan Kirby, RSCJ (1926 – 2015)

In Memorium In 1994, Sister Kirby found her true passion when she became the director of the Temple of Understanding (TOU) in New York, an interfaith organization affiliated with the United Nations. The TOU works to educate adults and young people across cultures and...

Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)

Nelson Mandela (1918 – 2013)

In Memoriam The members of the Temple of Understanding are deeply saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid and peace activist. We are grateful to have had the great honor of giving a Hollister Award to President Mandela in Cape Town...

Tonya Gonnella Frichner (1947 – 2015)

Tonya Gonnella Frichner (1947 – 2015)

In Memoriam The Temple of Understanding honors the life of Tonya Gonnella Frichner, an Indigenous peoples advocate and citizen of the Onondaga Nation, who served on our Council of Trustees. Ms. Frichner was a lawyer and professor and the founder of American Indian Law...

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