“A Voice Silenced: Fern Holland and Her Struggle for Democracy in Iraq”
As The Fern L. Holland Charitable Foundation’s Executive Director, Vi acts as the primary spokesperson for the foundation with the public, the media and donors to raise awareness and to widen supporter base for the causes her sister, Fern, dedicated her life. Vi ensures close co-ordination between the Foundation and its implementing partners abroad. She spent weeks last year traveling throughout the country of Guinea, West Africa, gaining practical experience, conducting research, visiting legal aid clinics and documenting her sisters’ work in conjunction with the American Refugee Committee: investigating human rights violations and free legal aid clinics for refugee women and children. Fern's work spanned two continents, numerous countries, and many issues - all linked to democracy, human rights and women’s rights. Currently, Vi is working on a book project about the life and work of her sister, Fern.
Vi has appeared on major media networks including CNN, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Vi has also been featured in several leading newspapers, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times and numerous others. Vi works with the offices of US Senators, US Representatives, Ambassadors, and with numerous non-governmental organizations, on issues related to Iraq’s Civil Society Institutions and programs. In March, Vi was invited by the White House to participate in a table discussion, with President Bush and Mrs. Bush, on issues related to interfacing with Iraqi citizens who are working to develop a civil society. Vi participates in conferences relating to these issues and consults with various global organizations that contribute to building a democratic and free nation in Iraq. Vi communicates daily with the same Iraqi independent men and women that her sister worked with and she continues to speak out on their behalf and on behalf of her sister, Fern, whose voice was tragically silenced.
The Fern L. Holland Charitable Foundation
Stephen J. Rodolf and James E. Green, Jr. Co-Trustees
4000 One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172-0148
Viola May Holland, Executive Director, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Mission Statement: Fern Holland died on March 9th, 2004 while working for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. She was killed, by forces violently opposed to the ideals of freedom and democracy for the Iraqi people. Fern, an Oklahoma native who grew up believing that one person could make a difference in the world, knew that her work placed her at extreme risk. It was a risk she was willing to assume in order to bring some measure of hope and equality to the people of Iraq.
Determined that her work on behalf of human rights in Iraq and elsewhere will continue, Fern’s family and friends have established the Fern L. Holland Charitable Foundation*. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide economic and other support to those causes for which Fern gave her life. This charter is broad by necessity because Fern believed that everyone, regardless of where they lived, should have equal opportunity. In her belief, she was uncompromising. She was convinced that, through simple acts of human kindness and understanding, it is possible to make the world a better place in which to live.