19-10 2021 07:01
wrote:
I am stunned and devastated to hear this sad news of the departure of our sister and friend dear Laleh. New York’s sky has been dark and gloomy since the morning. I’m so sorry beyond the words for our loss of Laleh, the fifth SGP soldier we lost in a short time this year. Only when we feel we can’t take any more, life dealt us with another blow. My heart goes to the family, friends and entire SGP family for the tremendous loss of five.
Laleh was the first National Coordinator of SGP-Iran, and served for SGP for 18 years of which we shared 13 years working together. She decisively shaped SGP-Iran to become an unstoppable force of environmental movement in Iran. Under her leadership, many remarkable SGP-Iran achievements were highlighted and shared globally, including innovative eco-toys, mapping, coral reef restoration, establishment of marine protected areas, women’s empowerment and numerous others. She herself was awarded Asia Sustainability Superwoman in 2019, a well deserved recognition for her life-long commitment and dedication. These achievements are more awe-striking when we consider the complexity and challenges of a woman leader to operate in a highly difficult and politically sensitive environment to operate in a country like Iran.
The last time I saw Laleh was on December 13, 2019 together with our SGP former Global Manager Sally Timpson and former deputy GM Tehmina Akhtar. We learned about her challenges to acquire medicines and treatment of her cancer in Iran because of the sanctions. She came out of the country to seek medical service, but the insurance rejected to pay for a national staff member to get foreign medical services. Despite many communications, I felt useless for not being able to help her solve the issue, and agonized with a profound sense of desperation on how politics, bureaucracy, human boundaries and process that failed our family member after long time service. Despite her cancer and challenges, she radiated like a sun with her bright eyes and big sweet smiles. What a lovely and fun lunch we shared thanks to Laleh’s presence. This is the memory I treasure and will remember for the rest of my life. She taught me with her last life lesson: to smile in face of any adversity. THANK YOU Laleh for your grace and generosity.
Yet, I am so grateful to have met and worked with such an extraordinary human being. I know her spirit has survived in the family of SGP and people she met and influenced, through her teaching, her wisdom, and her smiles she shared with all of us. Her legacy will be sustained in SGP-Iran through the amazing team she built and many lives she touched. Rest in Peace, Laleh.
Best, Sulan. SGP Global Programme Advisor, New York
19-10 2021 07:01
wrote:
I am stunned and devastated to hear this sad news of the departure of our sister and friend dear Laleh. New York’s sky has been dark and gloomy since the morning. I’m so sorry beyond the words for our loss of Laleh, the fifth SGP soldier we lost in a short time this year. Only when we feel we can’t take any more, life dealt us with another blow. My heart goes to the family, friends and entire SGP family for the tremendous loss of five.
Laleh was the first National Coordinator of SGP-Iran, and served for SGP for 18 years of which we shared 13 years working together. She decisively shaped SGP-Iran to become an unstoppable force of environmental movement in Iran. Under her leadership, many remarkable SGP-Iran achievements were highlighted and shared globally, including innovative eco-toys, mapping, coral reef restoration, establishment of marine protected areas, women’s empowerment and numerous others. She herself was awarded Asia Sustainability Superwoman in 2019, a well deserved recognition for her life-long commitment and dedication. These achievements are more awe-striking when we consider the complexity and challenges of a woman leader to operate in a highly difficult and politically sensitive environment to operate in a country like Iran.
The last time I saw Laleh was on December 13, 2019 together with our SGP former Global Manager Sally Timpson and former deputy GM Tehmina Akhtar. We learned about her challenges to acquire medicines and treatment of her cancer in Iran because of the sanctions. She came out of the country to seek medical service, but the insurance rejected to pay for a national staff member to get foreign medical services. Despite many communications, I felt useless for not being able to help her solve the issue, and agonized with a profound sense of desperation on how politics, bureaucracy, human boundaries and process that failed our family member after long time service. Despite her cancer and challenges, she radiated like a sun with her bright eyes and big sweet smiles. What a lovely and fun lunch we shared thanks to Laleh’s presence. This is the memory I treasure and will remember for the rest of my life. She taught me with her last life lesson: to smile in face of any adversity. THANK YOU Laleh for your grace and generosity.
Yet, I am so grateful to have met and worked with such an extraordinary human being. I know her spirit has survived in the family of SGP and people she met and influenced, through her teaching, her wisdom, and her smiles she shared with all of us. Her legacy will be sustained in SGP-Iran through the amazing team she built and many lives she touched. Rest in Peace, Laleh.
Best, Sulan. SGP Global Programme Advisor, New York