It is with great sadness that we learned about the passing of our vagina warrior sister Lissy Gröner on 9 September 2019 at age 65. Our thoughts are with Lissy’s children Myriam and Nicolai and her whole family.

Lissy was a passionate champion for women’s and LGBTI rights, and during her two decades as a Member of the European Parliament (1989 – 2009), she was instrumental in putting violence against women on the EU agenda – and for keeping it there! Her political savvy, her warmth, her wit and her integrity made her a respected partner across party lines and a true role model for her peers and the next generation. Her commitment for gender justice was always resolutely global and intersectional. She recognised the potential of the arts to bring about social change, and the connections between gender equality, culture and education in her political work. Lissy has been part of the V-Day movement since the early 2000s and we have fond memories of our shared moments in Brussels. Her creativity and tireless commitment to ending violence against women was honoured when she received V-Day’s European Vagina Warrior award in Brussels in April 2005. She had a deep impact on us, as a trusted partner in our advocacy, and as a dear, much loved friend. Her positive energy and spirit, up to the last weeks of her life, make it difficult to believe that she is gone.

Dear Lissy, vagina warrior sister, we salute you and will uphold your legacy. Until the violence stops!