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Anita’s Activism and Inspiration
“Activism is the rent we pay for being on this planet” – Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007)
As I sit back to reflect on the life and gift of Anita Roddick, her efforts to move people to action are at the forefront of my mind. She often remarked that if you don’t want to be an ‘activist’, then be a ’sittist.’ She constantly nudged others with her own activism and encouraged and inspired us to do the same. What I loved most was her ability to bring out the brilliance in others, to help them believe in themselves and to feel a part of something bigger. Those who worked for and those who simply loved The Body Shop experienced this, as well as strangers who crossed her path and those who admired her from a distance.
Anita created thousands of activists with her ‘action stations’— her stores across the globe that fought for many campaigns and noble causes. Even today, customers can still learn ways to make a difference, and with the global brand re-launch, we are returning to shouting what we’re passionate about from the rooftops. We can continue to carry on her tireless work by simply standing up for what we believe in.
“Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
I must share the story she told of how she was in awe of The Body Shop employees who would hold her hands and rub moisturizer into them when she walked into stores dressed up like a homeless person on the streets of London for a Discovery documentary. They took time to look after her, a fully disguised stranger to them, with no care that she and her hands were disgusting and filthy. This story is quite symbolic of her work on so many levels.
As we take time to reflect on Anita, many of you reading this have been touched or moved by her in some way, either personally or by experiencing The Body Shop as an employee or customer. While I feel blessed to have had a close relationship with her the last 5 years of her life, many of the lessons I learned were ones she taught to the masses. When I was a young woman, a friend loaned me Anita’s book, Body and Soul, and it changed how I looked at things, leaving me with a profound sense of hope and place in the world. I learned that life can be extraordinary! I was ecstatic to learn that someone can really make a world of difference; that someone being Anita. She made it all seem possible.
When I had a change in my workplace, The Body Shop was where I wanted to plow my energy, where I wanted to contribute to that ‘something bigger.’ I wanted to take care of the planet and I wanted to save the world. Anita inspired, empowered and challenged countless individuals and those who have worked for The Body Shop know exactly what I’m talking about. She made others feel special, important and remarkable. At her memorial service in London, I met so many people who had previously worked at The Body Shop who are now simply living extraordinary lives, somehow having discovered along the way what it meant to be an activist and to live life fully. They knew what it was like to jump to that place that excites your heart and soul and moves you to action. Anita moved others to action by her fire, her hope and relentless spirit. She made the impossible seem possible, and she taught me to never give up, remain hopeful, believe in myself, cherish love and laughter and stay pathologically optimistic. I miss her so much and yet when in doubt, she still answers loudly and boldly—for which I am eternally grateful.
There is no time to be wasted and Anita was living proof of that. You can get inspired by learning about many of the causes she supported and was fully involved in at http://www.iamanactivist.org. In celebrating her this week, be inspired to carry on her legacy by just being involved, being engaged, being bold, being brave and knowing that what you do makes a difference each and every day. A passionate interest of hers was kindness and what the world could be like if we interjected more kindness into it, producing one of her best literary contributions that is a must read: A Revolution in Kindness.
We can all take part in this revolution in kindness she started and continue to go out and “do something, do anything, just do something.” In celebration of Anita, take a few minutes to watch this lovely tribute that was shared at the beginning of her memorial last year:
Make each day count as if it’s your last…that’s my call to action, carrying on Anita’s legacy and making your mark on the world.
- Jill MacIntyre Witt
Independent Director and Founding Consultant
THE BODY SHOP AT HOME™
Well said! As a long time Body Shop employee I too had the pleasure of Anita’s company over the years and was honoured to attend her Activist celebration last year. Her energy and passion continue to Inspire us!
Comment by J. Dawson — October 22, 2008 @ 9:18 pm