A woman both daring and different, Anita Lucia Perilli (1942-2007) founded the cosemetics The Body Shop in 1976 with what she called "a revolution in kindness."

Born in Littlehampton, England, Roddick created a successful business that sold environmentally-friendly beauty products and passionately changed the spirit of entrepreneurship.

"I tried to redefine work as a spiritual endeavor, not just a job, not just a Monday to Friday sort of death," she explained and led a campaign against animal testing of cosmetics. With passionate idealism, she urged everyone to become vigilante consumers.

A celebration of social justice, Roddick also expected her employees to volunteer and become involved in local community projects. "I pay my staff to be active citizens," she said.

"If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito," she observed. "Nothing is more motivating than giving staff, employees, and associates the opportunity to express their own individual influences."

With thousands of outlets throughout the world, The Body Shop continues to thrive, creating profits and corporate growth with heart and conscience.

"You have to believe in what you are doing so strongly it becomes a reality," said Roddick who inspired others to get involved in creating a better world.

Do it the best you can.