One By One

We can change the world, one by one. I never used to imagine we could, but we can.
I was lucky enough to work for two women who made a huge difference for many people.
One was Xenia Dennen and the other Zena Daysh.
Recently, I met another lady at a bus stop who was up against the establishment. She displayed immense courage. Her son was killed on a building site. He was delivering a message, and the shell of a three-story building fell on him. The builders denied responsibility, but it turned out they lacked building permits. The establishment was against her, as the land had been sold illegally.
Her son was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was nominated as a brave woman who fought for justice over her son’s death. She is a new friend, and her journey continues.

I met Xenia going for a job interview, and got the job of looking after her two young boys. She was like an angel, always calm and serene. It was one of the happiest periods of my life. Little did I imagine Xenia was the Bette Noire of the KGB? She married the Rev. Lyle Dennen, who was an American from Joy Street, Boston. She set up a bureaux in Moscow, investhating ethnic minorities in Russia who were persecuted or disappeared. She travelled from west to east across Russia alone, interviewing people and visiting work camps. Documents were smuggled out of Russia during so called Perestroyka of people who were persecuted or disappeared. She was banned from entering Russia for some years.
The other lady I worked for was Zena Daysh, a Firey whirlwind of energy. I worked for her, and although there was a huge age gap, we became best friends and family, working and holidaying together.
She was the first person to start an Ecology movement in the world.
I learned a lot from both ladies.

Below, Xenia, wearing my old second-hand fur coat, which she mentions in her lecture during her travel with the Rev Bordeaux. She became chairwoman of Keston.

Commonwealth Human Ecology Council, Zena, 1914-2011, working till 2011, aged 97, for World Peace.
She was a tough cookie, but lots of fun!

I read a book called One by One, where one person took on the world in a peaceful manner to bring about change.

Who are your heroes, heroines? Have you fought for justice? Perhaps you have a story or know someone who fought for justice?
I have a few heroes on LFE too, but that’s my secret. Everyone has a special quality.
Post memes, gifs, music about your personal heroes. What qualities did your hero have, and what battles?
Chat and enjoy the discussion. 

Lian and Kieran

Enrique Iglesias - Hero

David Bowie - "Heroes"

The KGB's Bête Noire - Xenia Dennen

Willie Nelson - My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys