Just finished reading this inspiring book that I thought I must share with you.
Unbowed, is the story of a tenacious woman, about growing up in the hills of Kenya, getting educated in a missionary school, starting the Green Belt Movement, her 3 decade long fight with the oppressive Government of President Moi, finally coming out a winner, and receiving the Nobel prize!
I especially enjoyed reading the first part of the book about growing up in rural Kenya, about the immense part the nature played in their lives. For those of us who have experienced life in Indian villages, a lot of Kenyan customs or habits sound familiar.
Do read below a few quotes/extracts from the book:
"Trees have been an essential part of my life and have provided me with many lessons. Trees are living symbols of peace and hope. A tree has roots in the soil yet reaches to the sky. It tells us that in order to aspire we need to be grounded, and that no matter how high we go it is from our roots that we draw sustenance. It is a reminder to all of us who have had success that we cannot forget where we came from."
"...our power and strength and our ability to reach our goals depend on the people, those whose work remains unseen, who are the soil out of which we grow, the shoulders on which we stand."
"Many people assume that I must have been inordinately brave to face down the thugs and police during the campaign for Karura Forest. The truth is that I simply did not understand why anyone would want to violate the rights of others or to ruin the environment. Why would someone destroy the only forest left in the city and give it to friends and political supporters to build expensive houses and golf courses?"
... "What people see as fearlessness is really persistence. Because I am focussed on the solution, I don't see danger. Because I don't see danger, I don't allow my mind to imagine what might happen to me, which is my definition of fear. If you don't foresee the danger and see only the solution, then you can defy anyone and appear strong and fearless."
"Throughout my life, I have never stopped to strategize about my next steps. I often just keep walking along, through whichever door opens. I have been on a journey and this journey has never stopped. When the journey is acknowledged and sustained by those I work with, they are a source of inspiration, energy, and encouragement. They are the reasons I kept walking, and will keep walking, as long as my knees hold out."
"What I have learned over the years is that we must be patient, persistent, and committed. When we are planting trees sometimes people will say to me, "I don't want to plant this tree, because it will not grow fast enough." I have to keep reminding them that the trees they are cutting today were not planted by them, but by those who came before. So they must plant the trees that will benefit communities in the future."
... "I have always believed that, no matter how dark the cloud, there is always a thin, silver lining, and that is what we must look for. The silver lining will come, if not to us then to the next generation or the one after that. And maybe with that generation the lining will no longer be thin."
[Oct. 8, 2004: After receiving the call that she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize]
"I thought of the long journey to this time and place. My mind went back and forth over all the difficult years and great effort when I often felt I was involved in a lonely, futile struggle. I didn't know that so many people were listening and that such a moment would come."
"As women and men continue the work of clothing this naked Earth, we are in the company of many others throughout the world who care deeply for this blue planet. We have nowhere else to go. Those of us who witness the degraded state of the environment and the suffering that comes with it cannot afford to be complacent. We continue to be restless. If we really carry the burden, we are driven to action. We cannot tire or give up. We owe it to the present and future generations of all species to rise up and walk!"