Namibia RPCV Fern Holland put her life on the line for Iraqi Women
| By --jim (cache-ntc-aa03.proxy.aol.com - 198.81.26.8) on Thursday, March 18, 2004 - 2:24 am: Edit Post |
It hurts so bad when we loose family, friends or coworkers. We can only take little comfort when we know that someone was doing what they thought best, when they reach beyond the ordinary, when they take the extra task. Let us rededicate ourselves to eliminating the causes of conflict, and refocusing our efforts to the good.
| By Karen Peterson (67.28.24.237) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 9:30 pm: Edit Post |
I taught English to Iragi refugees in 1999 while I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jordan. There was a special connection between the Americans and the Iraqis there when we met each other as individuals. We shared recipes, picnics, bus rides, and were invited to their homes, although the refugees (and volunteers) had little to share.
Although my students were at the beginning level of English, they wrote haunting poetry about war and homesickness. When I played Peter, Paul and Mary's "Where have all the flowers gone?" to illustrate a grammar point, the Iraqis were deeply touched and insisted on memorizing the song.
It is these shared moments and friendships that are stronger and more meaningful than hate and violence can ever be.
When we lose someone close to us, the most painful loss is when they had a meaningless life and a pointless death.
Fern Holland lived the way she died: working for justice and building bridges between peoples and cultures. Let us continue what she started.
| By Juliet Dervin (cs666896-220.austin.rr.com - 66.68.96.220) on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 11:58 am: Edit Post |
My heart goes out to Fern Holland and her family and friends. What a special individual she was for dedicating herself to aiding women in the realization of their rights
| By robert paul (217.20.245.204) on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 8:58 am: Edit Post |
My name is bobpaul and I am an rpcv, kenya. I am currently in Iraq working with civil affairs for the army. my heart goes out to Fern's family and friends because the job she was doing was really important.
again, condolences.
| By erin (63.95.59.194) on Friday, April 30, 2004 - 9:37 am: Edit Post |
To the family and friends of Fern Holland, my heart goes out to you. What an amazing and remarkable woman! It breaks my heart to read her story. What a selfless woman. I can see what drew her to the women of Iraq and I can understand why she would choose to stay. The benefits of her bravery will be felt for generations. She has helped lay the groudwork for the liberation of Iraqi women. Bless her.
| By athena.arcayan (209.78.214.253) on Wednesday, May 05, 2004 - 12:43 pm: Edit Post |
I just read the story and I was so moved to write a message. My heart goes out to the family and friends of such a brave, giving soul such as Fern Holland. This just intensifies the whole reason why I am fighting so hard for all women, not only our country..but all the countries where women are oppressed or live in fear. I promise to never give up my fight...
Fern Holland...your spirit will live on even after death...you are an inspiration to us all...I'm sorry I never met you...but I'll never lose hope...thank you for everything....