MIAMI, OK.--- "Our mission is to empower families and to end family violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and that's what she did. Only, she did it all around, on the other side of the world," states DeeDee Cox.
Fern Holland is known as a hero, internationally, by many, including DeeDee Cox.
"She was so clever and so persistent," states Cox.
Cox is the Executive Director of the Community Crisis Center, which now honors the late Fern Holland.
"I can't tell you how exciting that is to me," says Cox.
Holland is a Miami native. She was a lawyer and women's rights advocate, who traveled around the world to fight for those without a voice.
"She succeeded in opening a legal clinic in West Africa to help women who were being raped and terribly abused," states Cox.
Holland then spent her final days in Iraq helping women earn civic rights.
"She died at the age 33. She was murdered, assassinated in Iraq by men posing as military," says Cox.
That happened in 2004. It wasn't until now that she is honored in her hometown. Those close to her say it was worth the wait.
"By looking at the role model that she was, it really encourages us to step up and do more," states Cox.
Cox says she will continue Holland's legacy by teaching local students about her impact around the world.
Fern Holland is known as a hero, internationally, by many, including DeeDee Cox.
"She was so clever and so persistent," states Cox.
Cox is the Executive Director of the Community Crisis Center, which now honors the late Fern Holland.
"I can't tell you how exciting that is to me," says Cox.
Holland is a Miami native. She was a lawyer and women's rights advocate, who traveled around the world to fight for those without a voice.
"She succeeded in opening a legal clinic in West Africa to help women who were being raped and terribly abused," states Cox.
Holland then spent her final days in Iraq helping women earn civic rights.
"She died at the age 33. She was murdered, assassinated in Iraq by men posing as military," says Cox.
That happened in 2004. It wasn't until now that she is honored in her hometown. Those close to her say it was worth the wait.
"By looking at the role model that she was, it really encourages us to step up and do more," states Cox.
Cox says she will continue Holland's legacy by teaching local students about her impact around the world.
