Wangari Maathai (April 1, 1940 – Sept. 25, 2011)
In 2004, Maathai became the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She spent her life working to improve the lives of women, improving the environment and increasing political involvement in such areas. Maathai worked in the Kenyan Parliament to increase the conservation efforts.
Kofi Annan (born April 8, 1938)
Annan served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in conjunction with the U.N., for working toward a better world in 2001. Annan is a Ghanaian who has worked with Nelson Mandela and founded a foundation in his own name to continue with humanitarian efforts.