Anita!

When her husband Gordon was honored at last year’s annual awards dinner, Revel, Anita Roddick took to the stage. With her characteristic grace, humor, generosity and wit, she charmed the audience. As always, her fierce energy challenged us to do more, to question ourselves, to push further, to act. And we responded.

A Dame of the British Empire, Anita would still take her aging mum out for Sunday roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. A hell-raising globetrotter in constant motion, she was petrified by air turbulence. Part warrior, part little girl, she was all too human, all too mortal.

Anita was a friend of mine and a friend of RAN’s and a friend to everything good in this world. I don’t feel compelled to tell another amusing or touching or inspiring story about Anita, at least not now. The internet is rightfully awash with such memories. Rather, I ask all of you who read this, all of you who have been moved by Anita, all of you who wish that she had lived a bit longer, to take an action.

Challenge someone powerful and don’t be dissuaded. Question your allies, constructively but honestly. Take your mom out to tea. Take a little bit of Anita into yourself and do one more good thing today than you would have done. And then Anita will still be with us.

She lived well, but not long enough. Let’s honor Anita with our deeds.

– James Gollin, RAN board chair