Jackie Kirk Tribute

Although I never had the honor of meeting Jackie face to face, she reached out in email after the most recent CIES Conference to share and build community within a share of our work concerning those areas in which she focused, particularly the rights and safety for women in conflict regions and the reverent importance of efforts to reach out to these women through education and a creation of safe and equitable environs for their growth. I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Jackie's death. Her spirit, warmth, compassion, commitment, and passion for her work and the future were evident and remarkably clear through just a short series of emails. I believe it was a blessing to have been touched by Jackie's professional camaraderie and I can imagine the honor of all those whom have worked with and alongside her during her career and life. Please I am extending towards her husband, her family, and all in her community my deepest wishes for peace for Jackie, and wishes of peace and healing for all who knew her and loved her and were touched by her. As people have written here and elsewhere, may we continue the honor of Jackie's tremendous dedication, groundswell spirit, and profound devotion she showed and shared with the world.