An Inspiration To Us All

The world lost a truly phenomenal woman yesterday. Anita Roddick pioneered recycling before it was mandatory, created fair trade programs before they were heard of, screamed in outrage over domestic abuse and animal testing before, during and after it was the cause celebre, put her money, energy and loud, articulate voice behind causes for justice, while celebrating women and growing a family and happy marriage.

I was fortunate enough to meet Anita in an intimate group of 20 other women last fall. It was not actually the first time I met her. I actually rode the escalator with her at national conference. She rode the elevator and chatted, just like the non-billionaires around her. She was just a regular person using the power of her gifts to leave a mark in this world. She was brave enough to challenge norms. In fact, her first book is called "Business as Unusual". She was strong enough to keep The Body Shop retail shops out of China, the biggest market on the planet, in protest of violations against human rights.

I feel blessed to have met her. I am proud to be part of the company that started her meteoric rise as a global change agent. I have always believed in social responsibility, business with a soul, fairness and justice. As I prepare to start another business, it is with Anita's inspiration that I build in eco-sensitive methods to as many aspects as possible.

I pray that Anita's messages, activism and glory live much longer than her brief 64 years. On a day that remembers an assault against world peace, let us all remember the tireless activist among us. May anyone who reads this find their voice too and make a difference!

Peace, Anita.