Janet Jagan, US born, life-long leftist, former President of Guyana and widow of Cheddi Jagan, Guyanan political leader who had the honor of being overthrown by both the British the US CIA. (Cheddi Jagen’s overthrow by the CIA is a central plot element in an excellent thriller, by the way, The Yellow Dog Contract by Ross Thomas.)

Janet Jagan's web site has collected her memoirs, political writing and bio here . She maintained her ties to US radicals and spoke often in the United States. Many of us who heard her and watched her career from a distance were impressed with her grit, determination and carefully thought out political views. She was a wonder and inspiration. Her NY Times obit is here

Helen Levitt, leftist and one of the 20th centuries better photographers of street life (and she would say one of the luckier) died a few days ago at 95. She worked with Cartier-Bresson, Walker Evans and James Agee. Her New York Times obit is here. For a wonderful slide show for 24 photos try here.. Another excellent collection is here .

Try also an interview with Levitt here and this feature from National Public Radio from a few years ago.