Nobel Heroines 

We are so proud of women and our clean sweep of the Nobel Peace Prize this year. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman have been recognized for their outstanding efforts made all the more remarkable in that they function in societies that traditionally repress women. The award also recognizes the peace and security activism and strategic advocacy of the global women's movement, and of national and local women's groups, in Africa and the Middle East since the late 1990s. It is this kind of activism that has succeeded in placing issues of gender equality, gender-based violence and meaningful participation for women on the global security agenda.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been a driving force in Liberia as the country has rebuilt itself after years of conflict. She is seen as someone with wisdom and grace and who is practical. Africa needs practical leaders who can cut through the fog and get to the issues.

Her fellow Nobel Laureate and also Liberian Leymah Gbowee is a peace activist whose famous quote was that when she was 17 and witnessed the horror of war she became an adult in a "matter of hours." Leymah's heroic work in organizing both Muslim and Christian women in a movement that put pressure on the evil dictator Charles Taylor into accepting to be part of the peace talks in Ghana, was courageous and inspirational.

This peace prize in 2011 rewards and recognizes not only these outstanding women but also shines a light on all the unsung heroines in Africa who work daily to break the cycle of gender inequality, repressive societies, conflict resolution and building democracy. By awarding the peace prize to these icons it encourages African women to never give up and follow the example of these role models in working toward a gender equal and peaceful society. The Nobel Committee said, "We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society." That says it all.

Mirium Sendele, Zimbabwe

Go Well Lady Green

It was a sad day when I heard of the death of Wangari Maathai. The environmental activist was my heroine and that of many millions of others across the world. Not only was she a Nobel Laureate, but also she lived a simple life and was equally at home with ordinary people and with dignitaries. She was a true African icon and it made me proud to be Kenyan. She always said that each of our individual contributions, however small, when combined would be enough to change our country into the prosperous nation we all want it to be. Professor Wangari has left behind an amazing legacy for all of us. To honor her we must all follow her example of the Green Belt Movement.

This movement has planted more than 47 million trees in East Africa. It is astonishing to think of this many trees put back into the earth. What is most important is it empowers women in villages to plant trees, sell seeds and create some income for themselves. The Green Belt Movement is not only about the environment, but also a source of employment in rural areas, and a way to give new skills to women who are always considered inferior to men in terms of power, education, nutrition and many other areas.

Kenya Prime Minister said Maathai was a champion of human rights and that she taught people that there is a connection between human life, rights and the environment. I remember the comments made by her husband when getting a divorce and he said she was strong-willed and could not be controlled. Well that is the point of this powerful woman. She had a vision and nothing stopped her to achieve it. This is what we want more of in Africa. She was not only an environmentalist but helped Kenyan women achieve equality. When she won the Nobel Peace Prize it was the first time it had gone to an African woman. She was a woman always creating "firsts." We will all miss her. Go well Lady Green.

Alison Heri, Kenya