comments_imageCOMMENTS: 4

One Of a Kind

To say Marla was unique may seem a cliche, but in my many years of political work and journalism, I have never known anyone quite like her.
April 18, 2005  |  
 
 
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The fact that Marla Ruzicka is dead is a terrible, shocking loss. It is also a reminder that death often follows good works by people who have made their own lives secondary to the people they have chosen to serve.

At first Marla was a political activist, well-trained by Medea Benjamin and others at Global Exchange. But over time she evolved her own brand of engagement. She was a true humanitarian worker, focusing on the plight of individual families victimized by the brutal military situation in Iraq.

Marla started her own group, CIVIC Worldwide. Her goals were to accurately document the true toll of our bombing and occupation and serve as a broker and advocate for children and families devastated by the huge death toll. She worked tirelessly to gain resources for the victims, especially the many orphans, so they might have homes, medical care, and some kind of normal life-- if that were possible in ravaged Iraq, where any moment an arbitrary explosion could devastate everything around you.

Marla sought to hold the US government responsible for its massive collateral damage. But she pursued her goals with quiet pragmaticism, using personal persuasion -- getting friendly reporters to write stories for her, persistently pursuing aid workers, and lobbying elected officials in Washington to increase the amount of humanitarian dollars being spent on the human toll in Iraq.

Early on, Marla was often underestimated. Her pretty youthfulness and seeming innocence hid her savvy political judgment. Initially, Marla was overshadowed by more experienced activists, but after deciding to commit herself to work in Iraq, she returned to speak powerfully and articulately of the plight of innocent civilians and was admired by thousands.

Marla was one of those people who was always surprising you. You thought you knew her, and then she would show you a side that you never knew was there. Marla was incredibly charming, and always forthright. You were always helping her to do things, although you never quite remembered her asking you. She would zoom into town -- San Francisco, New York, Washington -- tell moving stories, explain what she was trying to do next, raise some money. On the side she'd get a little counseling about her love life, or how overwhelmed she felt. And then just as quickly she would disappear, usually headed back to Iraq to work with unbridled passion.

To say Marla was unique may seem a cliche, but in my many years of political work and journalism, I have never known anyone quite like her. She was truly one of a kind. I will miss her, as will many others.
Don Hazen is the executive editor of AlterNet.
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It's a shame
Posted by: elmysterio on Apr 18, 2005 1:53 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
it's a shame when someone who is genuinely trying to help people get's killed in a warzone. Rest in Peace Marla and let's try to keep her fight going.

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Hello Goodbye
Posted by: thevanishedfrontier on Apr 19, 2005 9:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I can't read a sentence of any of this or the other remarkable eulogies for this inspiring young person without crying. How blessed we are to know of what she stood for and what she was accomplishing for humanity- for us all. How tragic most of us learn of her widely because she is gone. Thank you for highlighting this story.

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Compassion expressed with love and action, a loving light
Posted by: unbridlednature on Apr 20, 2005 10:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A special light has transformed, yet her energy and vision are still very much alive, this is simply hard to see through the sorrow and tears felt by friends and loved ones, and yes even people like myself who did not know her. We can only hope her work will advance through the help of others who learn of the loving nature of her sweet spirit. My guess is, many like myself, may not have even known her, or her work, until now.

My feeling is the families of soldiers lost, who have opposed the conflict, would be most interested to join forces with her org. This might help both sides heal from the pain of loved ones lost, over time. You are right, I don't think I have heard of anyone like her either. Her family might also help other families who have lost loved ones, with the hope of supporting one another. We are still blessed with many wonderful families of lost soldiers who have chosen to speak out against this misguided conflict.

Thank you for your thoughtful words. They have helped me to know her.

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Loss Incomprehensible
Posted by: Kdisco78 on Apr 27, 2005 9:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in Australia and my government is also responsible for the invasion of Iraq. I stumbled across a small piece on Marla Ruzicka on Patti Smith's website. I felt deeply saddened. Activists are so important to this world. Marla was selfless and devoted. It eats me up inside to think how this world loses so many beautiful people. The absolute unnecessary suffering some people go through. The wars created for in the name of money and oil. The ongoing oppression. Without knowing her I feel slightly distant with my words but I'm so grateful for her life. The fact that she was out there making a difference. A woman of true humanity. She will keep restoring and supporting. She has inspired those she helped.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

It's a shame
Posted by: elmysterio on Apr 18, 2005 1:53 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
it's a shame when someone who is genuinely trying to help people get's killed in a warzone. Rest in Peace Marla and let's try to keep her fight going.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Hello Goodbye
Posted by: thevanishedfrontier on Apr 19, 2005 9:52 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I can't read a sentence of any of this or the other remarkable eulogies for this inspiring young person without crying. How blessed we are to know of what she stood for and what she was accomplishing for humanity- for us all. How tragic most of us learn of her widely because she is gone. Thank you for highlighting this story.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Compassion expressed with love and action, a loving light
Posted by: unbridlednature on Apr 20, 2005 10:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A special light has transformed, yet her energy and vision are still very much alive, this is simply hard to see through the sorrow and tears felt by friends and loved ones, and yes even people like myself who did not know her. We can only hope her work will advance through the help of others who learn of the loving nature of her sweet spirit. My guess is, many like myself, may not have even known her, or her work, until now.

My feeling is the families of soldiers lost, who have opposed the conflict, would be most interested to join forces with her org. This might help both sides heal from the pain of loved ones lost, over time. You are right, I don't think I have heard of anyone like her either. Her family might also help other families who have lost loved ones, with the hope of supporting one another. We are still blessed with many wonderful families of lost soldiers who have chosen to speak out against this misguided conflict.

Thank you for your thoughtful words. They have helped me to know her.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Loss Incomprehensible
Posted by: Kdisco78 on Apr 27, 2005 9:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I live in Australia and my government is also responsible for the invasion of Iraq. I stumbled across a small piece on Marla Ruzicka on Patti Smith's website. I felt deeply saddened. Activists are so important to this world. Marla was selfless and devoted. It eats me up inside to think how this world loses so many beautiful people. The absolute unnecessary suffering some people go through. The wars created for in the name of money and oil. The ongoing oppression. Without knowing her I feel slightly distant with my words but I'm so grateful for her life. The fact that she was out there making a difference. A woman of true humanity. She will keep restoring and supporting. She has inspired those she helped.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

 
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