Dame Anita Roddick

Tue 11th Sep, 2007

I was devastated to catch a late night news bulletin announcing that Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop and global environmental and human rights campaigner, had died at the young age of 64.

Anita was initially made famous for building up the Body Shop chain, which turned many established business principles on their head and created a new market driven by environmental principles. Later, once she had sold the chain, she set about spending her £100 million fortune on charity and campaign work.

Last year I had the great pleasure of speaking with Anita about the One Million Masterpiece.She expressed delight at the idea and encouraged me to make it a reality.Although the past year has been tough, the examples of huge achievement made by the likes of Dame Anita have helped me through, and kept me focused on the aim of taking a small piece of our world and trying to fix it.

Anita kept fighting until the end. On her website, a site which I have read every month for some years, she posted her last blog entry just five days ago which urged us to continue fighting for global justice. What a woman, what a human being, and what an inspiration!

Our world has lost something today, and its up to us to help fill the void. Lets all have a think today about how we can step up and make a difference.

Comments & discussion:

The world has indeed lost a great person. I think your efforts here, and all the people who contribute to OMM are a step in the right direction, I love to see all the squares, and see all the people who are donors as well, it makes me think that we artists can make a real impact - and I really love the spirit of this community. I didn't know you were the one who came up with the idea, but kudos to you and all your future endeavors, it's one of my favorite websites to check every day.