From Ivanka Corti, Italy

Former chair of the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Dearest Charlotte,

My server blocked my computer for nearly three days this is the reason that only in this moment I receive from you the very sad news about the death of our beloved
Rhonda:

First of all, thank you so much, dear great feminist Charlotte, to be so kind to send to all of us Rhonda's friends round the world on Rhonda's passing away and for having assisted her in the last moments of her life on behalf of all of us who loved and respected her, but, unfortunately, very far from her. You covered her fragile body with flowers and I suppose, you dedicated some on behalf of all of us.

You can't imagine how sorry I am that one of so good friends of mine is no more with us! I was very close to Rhonda during my permanence in CEDAW and we maintained this friendship through the regular correspondence. She was always punctual in responding to my emails and in the last one I received at the end of last year she promised to come to Rome "next summer" and be some time with me!!!!!! ...
Rhonda for me was not only a loyal friend, but a really extraordinary human being - somebody whom you imagine, but rarely find in reality, as a "humanist" human being (if I can say so?) with an extraordinary generosity. It is not to me to describe all her merits on behalf of the women's rights round the world, because, fortunately, during her life she has received numerous recognitions from different parts of the world. I always greatly respected what she has done for women's "cause" and freedom and equality in general.

Rhonda, dearest friend I waited for your promised visit to Rome next summer!! You will not come but in my memory you will always be with me. You gave to me faith in friendship and helped me sincerely during my permanence in CEDAW. Thank you for all and thank you for being an example what the sincere feminist is. Good buy, dear great Rhonda!

Dear Charlotte, for the moment I don't know how to participate in donations on behalf of Rhonda but, please, be so kind to inform me about the follow up of remembering her.

Thank you!

Ivanka Corti

From Everjoice Win, Nairobi

Dear Charlotte and friends,

My sincerest condolences on the loss of Rhonda. I first met Rhonda when I came to the CWGL. She kindly offered me her apartment to stay in New York for a few days after the institute. She was such a warm and gentle person. Each time I met her after that, I would keep saying that I was still coming to stay in her apartment - which I hadn't done back in '91. And she would laugh that sweet low laugh and give me a hug.

May her dear soul rest in peace. I am sending you, Rox and others who were very close to her a big hug and a kiss from Nairobi.

Lots of love,
EJ

From Peggy Antrobus, Barbados

Dear Charlotte,

So sorry to hear this news. I saw Rhonda at the anniversary celebrations and it was great to catch up with her after all these years. She looked very frail, but I didn't realize that she was ill. I first met and got to know Rhonda in 1993/4 around issues related to the ICPD negotiations. Her commitment to women's human rights and passion for a broader agenda for social justice made her an indispensable colleague; her warmth made her a friend. Although I didn't work with her much after that, it was always lovely to see her, to experience her gentle smile and sharp mind.

She will clearly be a great loss in our on-going struggles and lives.

Thanks for bringing us together to share this loss.

Peggy

From Danny Weiss

Danny is Chief of Staff to Congressman George Miller (D-California)

Thanks for passing on this very sad news. I remember her fondly, and I had the privilege of working with her to write and introduce a House resolution in January 1993 to declare rape a crime against humanity and to encourage Bush to include Rape as one of the charges to be included in the international criminal court for crimes against humanity in the Bosnia conflict. Looking back through my files on that case I see that in 1996 the court did include rape as a crime against humanity and that 8 Serbs were indicted for mass rape in Bosnia. And Justice Goldstone was on the court and in favor of the charges.

Danny Weiss