The world lost a great leader today with the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a human rights activist who worked tirelessly for peace around the world. In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in resolving and ending apartheid in South Africa.

I met and photographed Tutu at the invitation of another great leader for peace, Tony Crawford, who arraigned for the archbishop to speak to the students at Ackerman Middle School, in the small town of Canby, Oregon.

Desmond Tutu’s expressive, joyful, and humble way of being impressed me the most.  Watching him speak with members of the audience after his talk, he interacted with a gentle kindness as if speaking to an old friend, with a genuine interest in what they had to say. It was beautifu