Wishing you all well in these hard times...

Thinking about you today with heavy heart. I miss you. So I came to this site to look at your smile and I leave it feeling encouraged by you to keep fighting.

I was very inspired by Claudia's research and practical experience of working with vulnerable women. Claudia made a great impact on women wanting to exit harsh lifestyles. I was also personally impacted enough to develop material based on what I learnt from her. Thank God for her life and may the work of LCPS long continue.

I was greatly saddened to read of Claudia's death . I recall her vivid, warm & generous personality when we undertook the MA Criminology course at Middlesex University in 1994. She subsequently agreed to speak as a guest ( with women who had experienced violence from the troubled city of Juarez -Mexico) at a Napo ( Probation Union) branch meeting and her desire to make a positive & lasting difference to others lives will remain an abiding memory. My Condolences to her family & friends. Mike Guilfoyle

I visited a temple in Japan many years ago. There was a big statue of a very fierce looking creature. It seemed out of place. I asked my Japanese friend, what is this doing in a temple? He explained, it is a fierce deity. It has one job, to frighten any evil influences that wish to enter the temple space. I was very impressed when I saw Claudia doing something similar. I know Claudia likes Basho. From memory, " In the meadow, the skylark sings, free of all things ". Be inspired by a life well lived. Love to Claudia and Richard. Simon

Claudia developed a model of self defence which made sense for women - combining physical skills and confidence with an intelligent assessment of risk and what might work. I know countless women who have been on her courses and came out stronger, energised and empowered. I knew Claudia through various (sometimes tedious) inter-agency meetings. I didn't know her well, but always listened hard when she spoke as she was always worth listening to. Her voice and her passion will be much missed, but her legacy will live on.

Claudia We can shed tears that you are gone or we can smile because you have lived. We can close our eyes and pray that you'll come back or we can open our eyes and see all you have left. Our hearts can be empty because we can't see you or we can be full of the love we shared. We can turn our back on tomorrow and live yesterday or we can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. Renate (unknown author)

For Claudia I'm sorry we never kept in touch I'm sorry I never found the time to learn about the many other parts of your life But I'm glad I was able to know you for the short time our lives crossed And I'm sure you will be remembered by many for the many things you achieved for yourself and others http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2xODjbfYw8 Deborah

I wish I had told Claudia how much esteem I held for her and her work, forgive me. From 1986 to 1990 she and I worked in the same office at Womens Resource Centre where we rotated tasks, and she taught me PAYE to pay salaries:-) It's my belief that Claudia singlehandedly created the most important key to empowering girls and women.

What a fantastic memorial to an inspiring and wonderful woman. I remember the many hours we spent in meetings at Scotland Yard trying to make a difference. I will always remember her. I wish all who knew her a long and happy life. Richard Curen

Whilst we have never communicated directly, we were sorry to hear the sad news of Claudia's passing. Reading through the thoughts and stories posted here has been an inspiration and humbles us. We offer our heartfelt condolences go to her loved ones and can but strive to continue the work that she left behind.

I had the pleasure of working with Claudia in 2006, for a week-long safety program in Ciudad Juarez. It was a great time together, and we did some fabulous work, empowering the right to safety for so many young women. Claudia, you will be greatly missed. You are in our prayers here at IMPACT Safety in Ohio.

I am so sad to hear Claudia is no longer with us. Like many women who met her, she changed my life, I loved her courage,strength,compassion and fight. she will be missed by so many but never fogotten, a beautiful spirit that will shine even brighter. Christine Moynihan

How brief life is! And how cliched everything sounds when mourning the loss of an important pillar of our full force, full impact self-defense community. I had the great honor and privilege to work with Claudia and Richard in Ciudad Juarez as part of my documentary; I tagged along with a class they'd already set up, (no credit to my producer or me at all) They generously gave of their time and resources and their undying dedication to justice, one person at a time, if necessary. Claudia, what a tribute Richard is to your love and life.

The training is amazing and has supported many women to become aware of their ability to defend themselves. Fantastic contribution to the prevention of violence against women and girls. She has made a difference. Many thanks.

Today the sky is dressed with sparks and sounds of fireworks... I am remembering you taking me to Ravenscourt Park to experience that "strange" celebration around Guy Fawkes. You were opening to my eyes and ears windows which were new to me in this culture. You...always! with very literate but also funny approach to life and cultures as you uniquely could take. With fond memories, sadness and love, I am smiling at you. Xime

What an inspiring lady. Impact of Southern California sends our love and prayers to Claudia who light a bright light for so many. Thousands of lives will be forever better for having encountered Claudia.

Our thoughts are with everyone who knew Claudia. Thank you for all your hard work over the years. Katy - London Councils

When I hear the sound of trees bending in the wind and their leaves vibrate in blue air, I hear the voice of my lost friend. I remember the generosity of your warm smile, so full of kindness and patience. Friend, teacher and gentle woman. It has been an honour to share some of your journey with you. Your courage and strength thrives in my memory. I feel very fortunate to have witnessed your footsteps and when I hear the sound of trees bending in the wind and their leaves vibrate in blue air I feel your presence and remember you.

Oh what can I say about the wonderful Claudia, whose presence in any room always made me feel lighter and brighter, whose appreciation I felt so strongly through the gifts she would give me - just because, whose passion for enabling women to be in their bodies and feel strong in themselves was palpable, whose inclusive politics were felt and present, whose sisterhood I will always remember and miss terribly

Há Momentos Há momentos na vida em que sentimos tanto a falta de alguém que o que mais queremos é tirar esta pessoa de nossos sonhos e abraçá-la. Sonhe com aquilo que você quiser. Seja o que você quer ser, porque você possui apenas uma vida e nela só se tem uma chance de fazer aquilo que se quer. Tenha felicidade bastante para fazê-la doce. Dificuldades para fazê-la forte. Tristeza para fazê-la humana. E esperança suficiente para fazê-la feliz. As pessoas mais felizes não têm as melhores coisas. Elas sabem fazer o melhor das oportunidades que aparecem em seus caminhos. A felicidade aparece para aqueles que choram. Para aqueles que se machucam. Para aqueles que buscam e tentam sempre. E para aqueles que reconhecem a importância das pessoas que passam por suas vidas. O futuro mais brilhante é baseado num passado intensamente vivido. Você só terá sucesso na vida quando perdoar os erros e as decepções do passado. A vida é curta, mas as emoções que podemos deixar duram uma eternidade. A vida não é de se brincar porque um belo dia se morre. Clarice Lispector

Claudia you have been a huge inspiration and influence in my life. Sharply intelligent, compassionate, loving, generous, feisty! Someone who would always fight for what is right. 'it's not the size of the woman in the fight but the size of the fight in the woman' You had a spectacular amount of 'fight' in you. I am so grateful for the years I knew you, for all the things you taught me and the love you gave. Beautiful Claudia I will miss you so much.

Sister I think of you most in my kitchen, neatly paring vegetables, pounding spices and the like And in my Garden amongst layered greenery, aromatic Rosemary and Bay I think of you most With salted skin, wild wind on shore Haunting cries Gulls swoop and dive their silver feast eludes them December last we watched in awe baby seals huddled to their Mothers New Life stirring innocent and vulnerable Nature red in tooth and claw I think of you most The last books you read, commended to me, and left still under the window Where I think of you most Moving through the changing landscape of our Family Through half your whole Lifetime All those Life events witnessed and framed forever in the past Testament and Tribute to Life and Times with Richard Claudia I think of you most this Autumnal Day ablaze with colour wash and Birdsong when clocks go back and nights draw close And all is safely gathered in Be At Peace Sister With Love Carol

Dear Claudia, I wish we had more time together. I still cannot believe you are no longer with us. We had so much in common and I felt a strong bond between us, whenever we saw each other. I have fond memories of the time we have spent together. I remember you as a strong, smart, sweet woman and I am very glad I have met you. You will remain in my heart and soul and I will never forget you. Suzanne

Dearest Claudia,I knew you were someone special when we met around 30 years ago as members of ILEA's Equal Opportunity Team. The first thing that jumped out at me was your warmth and caring. You were so full of ideas and ideals and I loved working with you on all those projects we did together. But most of all I loved getting to know you and becoming friends. Claudia, you've touched me and moved me and helped me in many ways, on many levels, over these years and I will miss you. You've been very dear to me. You always will be.

The paucity of these words is stark, so far from intention and aspiration. I can’t really believe this journey has physically ended. Travelling with you has been such a truly extraordinary privilege. Sharing, experiencing and witnessing your love, compassion, warmth, generosity and heart has been an astonishing blessing. Watching your everyday courage and your elicitation of heroism in those who’d long forgotten, or never realised before they ever possessed any, was the most wonderful, heartbreaking and heart opening joy. Your delightful subversion of stereotypes, power and prejudice heart-warming. Your petite frame held such a vast fiercely wonderful spirit, that so often shocked those who foolishly assumed from your physique that you where as small and mean as they had mistakenly become. In your teaching you had this unerring talent to help people realise their better selves. Your inspiration has lit thousands of lives, cast away darkness and trauma and slammed open the door of hope. Even when I couldn’t see it you were a steadfast beacon through despair and desolation, in joy and love, in peace and tranquillity. There would never have been enough time, yet still I wish we had loved, danced, walked, laughed and just breathed together so much more. Your example has made me a far, far better human being than I could have come remotely close to being without you. Thank you.

Thank you for setting up this memorial to Claudia Da Silva. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.

I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was.