Remembering Terri Bartlett

Last year, Terri Bartlett, a key APA member died suddenly, and with her death, the Asia Pacific Alliance for ICPD and the global sexual and reproductive health community lost one of its torch-bearers.

Terri, throughout her life was a strong advocate and stood firm against the sometimes turbulent tides of political change and held fast to those things that she knew to be true and to be right. And it was those truths that she was most passionate about. That all women have the right to choose, that sexual and reproductive health needed to be at the centre of any development dialogue, that all people are born equal and should have lifelong equal access to education, services and choices.

More often than not, her determination to effect change was seen most clearly through Terri’s smile, her infectious energy and the twinkle in her eyes that said more about her passion for this work than her words ever could. And that is saying a lot – because Terri’s words were powerful.

Her words were tools of change and moments of inspiration. To APA, they were words that gave life to APA’s first steps; they were words that provided us with a firm direction and ongoing support, encouraging members to step up and to take action. Her words encouraged and supported us to become advocates for the changes that our world so desperately needs.

During her life, it was Terri who was at the forefront of these changes - who fought to make this world a place where people’s choices were at the centre of all of our work. And she did this always with a smile, and with a way about her that will bring a smile to our faces for years to come.

We will remember our friend - we will remember our colleague and we will honour one of the champions of our work. Terri was big on seizing the moment – to move forward – to create change – so let us seize this moment – by remembering her example on our journey forward and inspire us in our work to ensure full sexual and reproductive health for all.