An economist who advocated for people in poverty.

A bassist who played with pop stars and jazz greats, mentored youth, and worked on the endless project of healing racism.

A trailblazer who broke down barriers and successfully took on the federal government.

An environmental advocate who took her PhD to the grassroots.

A progressive governor who championed civil rights.

And a labor militant who is mostly remembered for his kindness.

Those are some of the people we lost in 2023, people who worked to make the world better and more equitable for us left in this world.

In this special edition from the WORT 6pm Local News, host and contributor David Ahrens takes the time to remember the lives of a handful of the people who passed away in 2023.

People who, each in their unique way, made a difference certainly in the lives of those who loved them. But also touched the lives of our community in their good works.