`` Her departure is untimely and a very great loss to all of us who knew her—as a mother , relative , co-worker , colleague , role model , and heroine—or those who admired her determination to make the world a peaceful , healthy , and better place for all of us , '' said Karanja Njoroge , executive director of the Green Belt Movement . Obama says ` ` her legacy will continue '' on environmental and other issues . U.N. Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon described her as a ` ` pioneer '' The Green Earth Movement She was elected to Kenya 's parliament with 98 % of the vote . She was the first woman from Africa to win the Nobel Peace Prize .
Obama says ` ` her legacy will continue '' on environmental and other issues . U.N. Secretary - General Ban Ki - moon described her as a ` ` pioneer '' The Green Earth Movement She was elected to Kenya 's parliament with 98 % of the vote . She was the first woman from Africa to win the Nobel Peace Prize .