We are publishing here the tribute to Helen Halyard written by Liz Smith, a writer for the World Socialist Web Site and a member of the Trotskyist movement in the UK. Comrade Helen, a leader of the Socialist Equality Party (US) and the International Committee of the Fourth International for more than half a century, died suddenly on November 28 at the age of 73.

I was shocked when I heard the news of Helen’s untimely death. My thoughts go out to all her close family, friends and Comrades.

Helen was like no other. I always think of her as the big sister I never had.

She was funny, caring and intensely interested in all aspects of the political struggles of the working class and young people internationally.

She inspired so many and as a Young Socialist member in Britain from the mid-1970s onwards during the period of Gary Tyler’s arrest, and the murder of Tom Henehan, I came to know Helen as she was always at the forefront of such political struggles.

Helen encapsulated everything that was principled, human and combative in the American working class and that came across in the many times I met her.

I worked with her in Britain in the late 1970s and met her at several schools following the International Committee’s split with the Workers Revolutionary Party.

Her political knowledge, drive, and patience to fight for and explain a Trotskyist programme and perspective to workers throughout the world was exemplified in her world tour in 1992 as presidential candidate.

We have lost a remarkable comrade far too soon but she will live on in the many lives she touched and inspired and the revolutionary movement of the working class that she dedicated her life to.

With fond memories,

Liz Smith