When the great fall who will conquer?

The passing of iconic figures often prompts outpouring of emotion, questions and bewilderment as to the loss of guidance or leadership that the figure held within the world community.

For Anita Roddick, her life serves as a lesson on activism, integrity and empowerment.

In 1976 she began The Body Shop. Initially her plan was to support her family by selling body products that she created from ingredients found in her kitchen. She stood up against the local council and concerned members of the public who believed The Body Shop was either intended to sell spare parts for cars or bring tasteless nudity into their neighbourhood.

Beginning with only what she could afford, Roddick encouraged her customers to return their bottles so she could wash and re-use them long before recycling was common practice. These early stages became the core values which still underpin The Body Shop today: Activate self-esteem; defend human rights; protect our planet; support community trade; and against animal testing.

As a woman leading her own company she faced many hurdles and touched so many lives. From the women's co-op in Ghana that produce the moisturising Shea Butter to the children of East Timor who are supported through the sale of massagers it was Roddick's intent not to "die rich".

Since the sale of The Body Shop to L'Oreal in 2006 Roddick has spent her time advocating for groups such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International as well as donating her fortunes to various organisations and foundations. Her departure as owner of The Body Shop saw consumers question the deal that put the company under a large multinational's control but Roddick defended her actions saying "I never had a vision…I don't see it as selling out. The campaigning, being a maverick, changing the rules of business. It's all there, protected. It's not going to change, that's part of our DNA". The entrepreneur backed the sale and L'Oreal's agreement to maintain the values Roddick had created in the brand. As for changing the values she stated, "customers won't allow it, employees won't allow it, suppliers won't allow it".

Roddick's legacy can be seen in the business world from her integrated values to her personal pursuit to rid the world of injustice. Campaigns for the environment, human rights and community building are enacted every year through The Body Shop stores and up until her death Roddick was actively writing about different projects and movements on her blog www.anitaroddick.com

However, the loss of this figure should not bring us to look hopelessly at the sky but requires consumer's attention to be cast on other businesses and their actual intentions towards their stakeholders. Value, for advertising's sake cannot replace philanthropic giving or the structures to boost and strengthen communities through free trade.

Now the question that remains is how true L'Oreal will be to its word now that the Dame is dead.