The Passing of Two Role Models

Aretha Franklin
She made her own path to fame and success.  Her youthful background included a heavy dose of grounding in gospel music, but she then emerged as a young, single mother from an abusive marriage.  And it took off from there, into the stratosphere.

She became an icon for black women, one who delivered her message of empowerment and strength though her formidable musical ability, maintained through the decades.  And she gained that "respect" that she craved; the accolades she has received were more than well-earned.

At some point, not particularly early in her career, I realized what a powerful and positive message she embodied:  I think it was "Freeway of Love".  It showed off her distinctive phrasing and her powerful, clear musical voice.  Less apparent were Aretha's community service and philanthopy, along with her skills in musical arrangement.

We have to recognize that there will be many more passing and retiring in the near future from that generation of popular musicians that reached fame in the '60's through the '80's.

Kofi Annan
He was Secretary-General of the United Nations for ten years, two full terms, around the turn of the last century, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 for his peacekeeping leadership.

 I would suggest that he was everything that we could want from someone in that role, devoted to the success of the organization, speaking out for peace and for humanitarian causes, not a captive of the powerful nations whose agreement is always necessary for ascension to the job.  During his tenure, the 9/11 attacks occurred, followed by the US' invasion of Iraq;  Annan did not refrain from criticizing that war for violating the principles of the organization, which prohibits conflict except in self-defense.

Unlike previous Secretary-Generals, who were drawn from the diplomatic corps, Annan was raised from the U.N. Secretariat, a career functionary who earned universal respect for his dignified, calm demeanor.  I had the privilege of meeting him on a few occasions, some 25 years before his terms at the top of the organization began, when he was responsible for UN human resources, a middle-level senior position several levels directly above my own short-term assignment in personal services for the UN community.  In person, there was no mistaking his personal qualities or leadership potential.