O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the peoples;
before you kings will shut their mouths,
to you the nations will make their prayer:
Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples;
the nations shall inquire of him,
and his dwelling shall be glorious.
(Isaiah 11:10)
A woman who planted roots and stood up to rulers:
Top Image: Undated medieval illumination
Thumbnail: Wangari Maathai, Nobel peace laureate and founder of the Green Belt Movement, photo by Patrick Wallet