Phyllis Rodriguez

Activist, Atheist, Concerned citizen, Connector, Jewish, Parent

Born in 1943, Phyllis Rodriguez has lived her whole life in and around New York City, working as a teacher, artist, and social justice activist. In 2001, her 31-year-old son died in the attacks on the World Trade Center. Rodriguez and her husband wrote an open letter, “Not In Our Son’s Name,” calling on President Bush to oppose a military response in Afghanistan. In February 2002, they joined other relatives of victims to form September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. When Zacarias Moussaoui, who was tried in relation to the attacks on United States soil, faced the possibility of execution if convicted, Rodriguez again spoke out, this time in opposition to the death penalty. In November 2002, she and several other relatives of victims of the attacks were invited to meet Aicha el-Wafi, Moussaoui’s mother, for the first time. In Rodriguez’s words, “It was a day that changed my life. Through telling our stories, we all were able to see each other as people who were suffering, but who were joined by our mutual humanity and desire for peace.” Rodriguez and el-Wafi have since appeared together at many events in Europe and the United States. Their stories have been covered by The Forgiveness Project, a London-based organization that promotes non-vengeful responses to violence. In 2007, el-Wafi and Rodriguez received the Die Quadriga Award, presented every year on the anniversary of German re-unification to political, economic, and cultural personalities who show vision, courage, and responsibility. Rodriguez is also affiliated with The Institute for the Healing of Memories, an organization based in Cape Town, South Africa, created by Father Michael Lapsley, himself a victim of apartheid. It promotes healing from trauma through a unique workshop process, which Rodriguez is helping to bring to the United States.